&a 








■ 

— 

■ .. ■ 




the 

/of the 

LAWS OF FREEMASONRY. 

CONSISTING OF TUB 

Ancient Charges, Constitution and Statutes, and 
Code of Procedure of the 

Hll LODGE I FIE MO ACCEPTED III 

OF THE 

STATE OF NEW YORK, 

TOGETHER WITH 

Decisions of Grand Masters, Standing Resolutions, and 
a Digest of the 

COMMISSION OF APPEALS' REPORTS, . 

ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE 

GHA1VI> I^OOOE. 

TO WHICH ABE ADDED 

The Acts of the Legislature relative to the Incorpora- 
tion of Lodg-es, and of the Hall and Asylum; 
Forms of Certificates under said Laws ; 
Forms of Diplomas, Dimits, &c. 

EDITED BY 



COPYRIGHT SECURED, 1877. 



JAMES E. MORRISON, P. M. 

II 
COPYRIGHT SECURED, 1877. 



NEW YORK : 
P. B. Howell & Co., Masonic Temple. 

1877. 






"The Law is the standard and guardian of our 
liberty; it circumscribes and defends it; but to imagine 
liberty without law, is to imagine every man with his 
sword in his hand to destroy him who is weaker than 
himself; and that would be no pleasant prospect to 
those who cry out most for liberty ."— Clarendon. 



CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Ancient Charges • • • . 7 

Constitution . • . • 13 

Statutes . • • • • , 26 

Rules of Order * . . . 39 
Code of Procedure . . . .46 
Decisions, Resolutions, etc., of Grand 

Masters . 96 
Digest of Commission of Appeals Re- 
ports ..... 127 
Acts of Incorporation . . . 143 
Past Grand Masters and Deputy Grand 

Masters ..... 165 

Forms , . • 166 

Index to Constitution and Statutes • . 177 

Index to Code of Procedure . • 203 

Index to Decisions and Resolutions ♦ • 210 

Index to Commission of Appeals Reports . 218 



PREFACE. 



The preparation of this brief work was designed by 
the Editor to place before the Craft, in concise and 
systematic form, the Organic and Statute Law of 
Masonry, together with the construction and inter- 
pretation of important articles, by decisions of the 
Grand Master and of the Commission of Appeals. 

It is hoped that the several Indexes will render 
reference, in every instance, easy and convenient. 
The Index to the Constitution and Statutes, 
and that to the Code of Procedure, point to the 
Section in which the provision sought may be found. 
In this way they will serve for any form or edition of 
these documents. The reference to Commission of 
Appeals Reports is by the number of the Case and 
th q year in which it was reported. Observe, that 
the names of Lodges and of parties, involved in 
these cases, have been carefully eliminated. The 
remainder of the text is indexed by pages, for 
obvious reasons. 

The Forms for dimission, etc., are those which 
have been sanctioned by use and authority. 

Four years have passed since the adoption of the 
Constitution by which the Craft in our jurisdiction 
is at present governed. Now is deemed the proper 
time to codify and digest the accumulated laws 
and rules of procedure which have grown mean- 
while. 

If the work shall render the study of our law 
sufficiently easy and simple to encourage brethren 
in the acquirement of its provisions, and if Masters 
may by it be enabled to relieve the Grand Master 
from a portion of his burdens of correspondence, 
these results will be a sufficient return to 

The Editor. 



THE 

CHARGES OF A FREE MASON, 

EXTRACTED FROM 

The Ancient gUcnrbs of Lodges beyond Sea, and of those 

in England, Scotland and Ireland, for the 

Use of the Lodges in London, 

TO BE BEAD 

At the making of New Beetheen, or when the 
Mastee shall order it. 



Charge I. 
Concerning God and Religion. 
A Mason is obliged by bis Tenure, to obey tbe moral Law; and if 
he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist, nor 
an irreligious Libertine. But though in Ancient Times Masons were 
charged in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or 
Nation, whatever it was, yet it is now thought more expedient only to 
oblige them to that Religion in which all men agree, leaving their 
particular opinious to themselves; that is. to be good Men and true, 
or men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Per- 
suasions they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the 
centre of Union, and the means of conciliating true Friendship among 
Persons that must have remained at a perpetual distance. 

Charge II. 

Of the civil Magistbate Supreme and subordinate. 
A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he 
resides or works, and is never to be concerned in Plots and Conspira- 
cies against the Peace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave 
himself undutifully to inferior Magistrates; for as Masonry hath 
been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and Confusion, so ancient 
Kings and. Princes have been much disposed to encourage the 
Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness and Loyalty, whereby 
they practically answered the cavils of their Adversaries, and pro- 
moted the Honour of the Fraternity, whoever flourished in Times 



Q CHARGES OF A FREE MASON. 

of Peace. So that if a Brother should be a rebel against the state, 
he is not to be countenanced in his Rebellion, however he niay be 
pitied as an unhappy man; and if convicted of no other crime, 
though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown his Rebel- 
lion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political Jealousy to the 
Government for the time being; they cannot expel him from the 
Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible. 

Charge III. 
Of Lodges. 

A Lodge is a Place where Masons assemble and work : Hence that 
Assembly, or duly organized Society of Masons, is called a Lodge, 
and every Brother ought to belong to one, and to be subject to its 
By-Laws and the General Regulations. It is either particular or 
general, and will ba best understood by attending it and by the Re- 
gulations of the General or Grand Lodge hereunto annexed. In 
ancient Times, no Master or Fellow could be absent from it, especially 
when warned to appear at it, without incurring a severe censure, 
until it appeared to the Master and Wardens, that pure Necessity 
hindered him. 

The Persons admitted members of a Lodge, must be good and true 
Men, free born, and of mature and discreet Age, no Bondmen, no 
Women, no immoral or scandalous Men, but of good Report. 

Charge IV. 
Of Masters, SBiirfccnS, Fellows, and Apprentices. 

All preferment among Masons is grounded upon real Worth and 
personal Merit only; that so the Lords may be well served, the 
Brethren not put to Shame, nor the Royal Craft despised: Therefore 
no Master or Warden is chosen by Seniority, but for his Merit. It is 
impossible to describe these things in writing, and every Brother 
must attend in his Place, and learn them in a way peculiar to this 
Fraternity: Only Candidates may know, that no Master should take an 
Apprentice, unless he has sufficient Imployment for him, and unless 
he be a perfect Youth, having no Maim or Defect in his Body, that 
may render him uncapable of learning the Art, of serving his 
Master's £orb, and of being made a Brother, and then a Fellow Craft 
in due time, even after he has served such a Term of Years as the 
Custom of the Country directs; a-id that he should be descended of 
honest Parents; that so, when otherwise qualified, he may arrive to 
the Honour of being the Warden, and then the Master of the Lodge, 
the Grand Warden, and at length the Grand Master of all the Lodges, 
according to his Merit. 

No Brother can be a Warden until he has passed the Part of a 
Fellow Craft; nor a Master until he- has acted as a Warden, nor 
Gr^nd Warden until he has been a Master of a Lodge, nor (SJrattb 
50£i3tcr unless he has been a Fellow Craft before his Election, who 
is also to be nobly born, or a Gentleman of the best Fashion, or some 
eminent Scholar, or some curious Architect, or other Artist, descended 



CHARGES OF A FREE MASON. 9 

of honest Parents, and who is of singular great merit in the Opinion 
of the Lodges. And for the better, and easier and more honourable 
Discharge of his Office, the Grand Master has a Power to chuse his 
own Deputy Grand Master, who must be then, or must have been 
formerly, the Master of the particular Lodge, and has the Privilege 
of acting whatever the Grand Master, his Principal, should act, 
unless the said Principal be present, or interpose his Authority by 
a Letter. 

These Rulers and Governors, supreme and subordinate of the ancient 
Lodge, are to be obeyed in their respective Stations by all the 
Brethren, according to the o J d Charges and Regulations, with all Hu- 
mility, Reverence, Love, and Alacrity. 

Charge V. 

Of the Management of the Craft in working. 

All Masons shall work honestly on working Days, that thev may 
live creditably on holy Days: and the time appointed by the Law of 
the Land, or confirmed by Custom, shall be observed. 

The most expert of the Fellow Craftsmen shall be chosen or appoint- 
ed the Master or Overseer of the Lord's work ; who is to be called 
Master by those that work under him. The Craftsmen are to avoid 
all ill Language, and to call each other by no disobliging Name, but 
Brother or Fellow; and to behave themselves courteously within and 
without the Lodge. 

The Master, knowing himself to be able of Cunning, shall under- 
take the Lord's work as reasonably as possible, and truly dispend 
his Goods as if they were his own; nor to give more Wages to any 
brother or Apprentice than he really may deserve. 

Both the SOfcrtStcr and the Masons receiving their "Wages justly, 
shall be faithful to the Lord, and honestly finish their Work, wheth- 
er Task or Journey; nor put the Work to Task that hath been accus- 
tomed to Journey. 

None shall discover Envy at the Prosperity of a Brother, nor sup- 
plant him, or put him out of his work, if he be capable to finish the 
same; for no Man can finish another's Work so much to the Lord's 
Profit, unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the Designs and 
Draughts of him that began it. 

When a Fellow Craftsman is chosen Warden of the W r ork under 
the Master, he shall be true both to Master and Fellows, shall care- 
fully oversee the work in the Master's Absence to the Lord's Profit: 
and his Brethren shall obey him. 

All Masons employed shall meekly receive their Wages without 
Murmuring or Mutiny, and not desert the Master till the Work is 
finished. 

A younger Brother shall be instructed in working, to prevent spoil- 
ing the Materials for want of Judgment, and for increasing and con- 
tinuing of Brotherly Love. 



10 CHAEGES OF A FEEE MASON. 

All the Toola used in Working shall be approved by the Grand 
Lodge. 

No Labourer shall be employed in the proper Work of Masonry; 
nor shall $ree 99?-:idOIt3 work with those that are not free, wiiiout 
an urgent Necessity; nor shall they teach Labourers and unaccepted 
Masons, as they should teach a Brother or Fellow. 

Charge VI. 
Of Behaviour, viz. In the Sobgc while (5ott£tiiuteb. 

1. You are not to hold private Committees, or separate Conversa- 
tion, without Leave from the Master, nor to talk of anything imper- 
tinent or unseemly, nor interrupt the Master or Wardens, or any 
Brother speaking to the Master; Nor behave yourself ludicrously or 
jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn; 
nor use any unbecoming Language upon any pretence whatsoever; 
but to pay due Reverence to your Master , Wardens, and Fe Hows,. and 
put them to worship. 

If any Complaint be brought, the Brother found guilty shall stand 
to the award and Determination of the Lodge, who are the proper 
and competent judges of all such controversies, ^unless you carry 
it by Appeal to the Grand Lodge) and to whom they ought to be re- 
ferred, unless a Lord's Work be hindered the mean while, in which 
case a particular Reference may be made ; but you must never go to 
Law about what concerneth Masonry, without an absolute necessity 
apparent to the Lodge. 

2$el)a»i0ur after the Lodge is over and the 33retfjren not gone. 

2. You may enjoy yourselves with innocent Mirth, treating one 
another according to Ability, but avoiding all Excess, or forcing any 
Brother to eat or drink beyond his Inclination, or hindering him 
from going when his Occasions call him or doing or saying anything 
offensive, or that may forbid an easy and free Conversation, for that 
would blast our Harmony, and defeat our laudable Purposes. There- 
fore no private Piques or Quarrels must be brought within the door 
of the Lodge, far dess any Quarrels about Religion, or Nations, or 
State Policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholic Religion above 
mentioned; we are also of all Nations. Tongues, Kindreds, and Lan- 
guages, and are resolved against all tyoiiticH, as what never yet 
conduced to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This Charge 
has been always strictly enjoined and observed; but especially ever 
since the Reformation in Britain, or the Dissent and Secession of 
these Nations from the Communion of Rome. 

25cI)at)iour when Brethren meet without Strangers, but not in a Sofccje 
fonneb. 

3. You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, as you will 
be instructed, calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual In- 
struction as shall be thought expedient, without being overseen or 
overheard, and without encroaching upon each other, or derogating 
from that Respect which is due to any Brother, were he not a Mason: 



CHARGES OF A FREE MASON. 11 

For though all Masom are as Brethren upon the same Level, yet Ma- 
sonry takes no Honour from a Man that he had before; nay rather it 
adds to his Honour, especially if he has deserved well of the Brother- 
hood, who must give Honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill Man- 
tiers. 

33cbat>iour in Presence of Strangers not 50t<i3oti3. 

f 4. You shaR be cautious in your Words and Carriage, that the most 
penetrating Stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what 
is not proper to be intimated; and sometimes you shall divert a dis- 
course, and manage it prudently for the Honour of the Worshipful 
Fraternity. 

2Seb notour at Home and in your Neighborhood. 

5. You are to act as becomes a moral and Wise Man; particularly 
not to let your Family, Friends, and Neighbours know the Concerns 
of the Lodge. &c, but wisely to consult your own Honour, and that 
of the ancient Brotherhood, for Reasons not to be mentioned here. 
You must also consult your Health, by not continuing together too 
late, or too long from Home, after Lodge hours are past; and by 
avoiding of Gluttony or Drunkenness, that your Families be not 
neglected, or injured, nor you disabled from Working. 

33el) amour towards a Strange Brother. 

6. You are cautiously to examine him. in such a Method as Pru- 
dence shall direct you, that you may not be imposed upon by an ig- 
norant false Pretender, whom you are to reject with Contempt and 
Derision, and beware of gijinj? him any hints of Knowledge. 

But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother, you are 
to respect him accordingly; and if he is in want, you must relieve 
him if you can, or else direct him how he may be relieved. You 
must employ him some days, or else recommend him to be employ- 
ed. But you are not charged to do beyond your ability, only to pre- 
fer a poor Brother, that is a good Man and true, before any other poor 
people in the same circumstances. 

Finally, All these CTharnca you are to observe, and also those that 
shall be communicated to you in another way; cultivating Brotherly 
Love, the Foundation and Capestone, the Cement and Glory of this 
Ancient Fraternity, avoiding all Wrangling and Quarrelling all Slan- 
der and Backbiting, nor permitting others to slander any honest 
Brother, but defending his Character, and do:'ng him all good Of- 
fices, as far as is consistent with your Honour and Safety, and no 
farther. And if any of them do you Injury, you must apply to your 
own or his Lodge; and from thence you may appeal to the Grand l 
Lodge at the quarterly Communication, and from thence to the An- \ 
nual Grand Lodge, as has been the ancient laudable Conduct of our 
Forefathers in every nation; never taking a legal Cou rse but when the 
case cannot be otherwise decided, and patiently listening to the 
honest and friendly advice of Master and Fellows, when they would 
prevent your going to Law with Strangers, or would excite you to 



12 CHARGES OF A FREE MASON. 

put a speedy Period to all Lawsuits, that so you may mind the Affair 
of Masonry with the more Alacrity and Success; but with respect 
to Brothers or Fellows at Law, the Master and Brethren should kindly 
offer their Mediation, which ought to be thankfully submitted to by 
the contending Brethren; and if that submission is impracticable, 
they must however carry on their Process, or Lawsuit, without Wrath 
and Rancor (not in the common way) saying or doing nothing which 
may hinder Brotherly Love, and good Offices to be renewed and con- 
tinued ; that all may see the benign Influence of Masonry, as all true 
Masons have done irom the Beginning of the World, and will do te 
the end of Time, 



2Imctt So mote It be. 




CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 



OP 

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS 

Of the State of New York. 



The Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, by their 
Grand Officers and Representatives in Grand Lodge assembled, at an 
Annual Communication thereof, in accordance with existing Consti- 
tutions and Laws, do ordain and establish the following Constitution 
and Statutes : 



CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE I. 

Of the Grand Lodge. 

§ 1. The style of this Grand Lodge shall be " The Grand Lodge 
of Free and Accepted Masons, of the State of New York." 
§ 2. The government of Free and Accepted Masons is reposed : 

1. In Grand Lodges; and, 

2. In Subordinate, or Particular Lodges. 

§ 3. This Grand Lodge has supreme and exclusive jurisdiction 
over all matters of Ancient Craft Masonry within the territorial 
limits of the State of New York. 

§ 4. This Grand Lodge shall be composed of all its Grand Officers, 
the Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy Grand Masters. Past Grand 
Wardens. Past Grand Treasurers, Past Grand Secretaries, and one 
reprpsen;ative from each Lodge, who shall be the Master, one of the 
Wardens in o?der of seniority, or a proxy duly appointed by the 
Lodge, the members of the Commission of Appeals, according to 
the rules prescribed by the Constitution of this Grand Lodge, and 
also of all such Past Masters of Lodges under this jurisdiction as 



14 CONSTITUTIONS AND STATUUES 

wete elected and installed and served one year in the chair of 
Master prior to the 31st day of December, 1849. But it may at its 
pleasure, and by duly altering its Constitution, enlarge or diminish 
the numbers and qualification of its members, provided no one can 
be a member of this Grand Lodge unless he be a member of some 
Lodge within this jurisdiction. 

§ 5. The following Grand Officers shall be elected annually at the 
Annual Communications of this Grand Lodge : a Grand Master, 
Deputy Grand Master. Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, 
Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary. 

Tbe following Grand Officers shall be appointed by the Grand 
Master at the Annual Communication, or within thirty days after the 
close thereof, or as vacancies may occur, to hold office during his 
pleasure, namely : 

A District Deputy Grand Master for each Masonic District, three 
Grand Chaplains, a Grand Marshal, Grand Standard Bearer, Grand 
Sword Bearer, four Grand Stewards, a Senior Grand Deacon, a Junior 
Grand Deacon, a Grand Lecturer, a Grand Librarian, and a Grand 
Pursuivant and Grand Tiler. 

§ G. The Grand Lodge shall meet annually in the City of New York, 
on the first Tuesday of June. 

Special Communications may be called by the Grand Master, but no 
Legislation affecting the general interest of the Craft shall be made, 
repealed, or changed, except at the Annual Communication. 

§ 7. The representatives of ten Lodges, convened on due notice to 
all the Lodges, shall be indispensably necessary to open the Grand 
Lodge or transact business therein, except on occasions of ceremony, 
when the Grand Master, or his representative, with a sufficient 
number of brethren, may open the Grand Lodge and transact the 
business for which it is called. 

§ 8. The elective Grand Officers shall be chosen by ballot, and by a 
majority of votes, unless there be but one candidate in nomination, 
when an election may be had by show of hands. 

§ 9. When the Grand Master shall be chosen from the City of New 
York or the City of Brooklyn, the Deputy Grand Master shall be 
chosen from some other portion of the State ; and when the Grand 
Master shall be chosen from any portion of the State other than the 
City of New York or the City of Brooklyn, the Deputy Grand Master 
must be chosen from the said cities. The Grand Treasurer and 
Grand Secretary shall be chosen from said cities. The Senior Grand 
Warden and Junior Grand Warden shall be chosen from some part 
of the State other than the said cities. A residence of four mon,ths 
immediately previous to such election shall be required to comply 
with this section. 

§ 10. WTienever a vacancy shall occur in any Grand Office, the 
Grand Master may appoint any member of the Grand Lodge to dis- 
charge the duties of the office till the vacancy shall be filled at the 
next Annual Communicatioa 



OF THE GRAND LODGE. 15 

§ 11. Each member of the Grand Lodge, except the Grand Tiler 
shall have one vote as such. 

§ 12. If represented by the Master or other representative, each 
Lodge shall be entitled to three votes for any number of members 
less than one hundred, and one additional vote for each additional 
fifty members exceeding the first fifty. 

§ 13. No person shall act in Grand Lodge as proxy of a Lodge un- 
less he sinui Lave been elected and installed Master of a Lodge, and 
be a member of a Lodge under this jurisdiction, nor until there 
shall have been filed with the Grand Secretary a certificate of his ap- 
pointment; such certificate to be signed by the Master of the 
Lodge appointing him, attested by its seal and the signature of the 
Secretary. 

§ 14. None but members of the Grand Lodge (Grand Officers, Past 
Grand Officers, and representatives of other Grand Lodges excepted) 
shall be present at the opening of the same, or at an election, nor be 
admitted at any time, save by unanimous consent of the Grand 
Lodge. 

§ 15, Every officer and member of the Grand Lodge must be a 
member of a warranted Lodge under this jurisdiction. 
ARTICLE II. 
Of the Powers of the Grand Lodge. 

§ 16. The powers of this Grand Lodge are: 

1. Executive, 

2. Legislative, and 

3. Judicial. 

§ 17. All general governmental powers, whether executive, legis- 
lative, or judicial, and all powers necessary to enforce or carry into 
effect the provisions of this Constitution, are reposed in the Grand 
Lodge. 

§ Id. The judicial powers of this Grand Lodge may be exercised 
by the Grand Lodge, or delegated, and are: 

1. Original: Embracing ad matters of controversy which may 

arise between any of the Lodges under its jurisdiction or 
the members of different Lodges, and the enforcement of 
discipline upon its own members and the Lodges under its 
jurisdiction, and upon unaffiliated Masons. 

2. Appellate: Embracing all matters of controversy and disci- 

pline over which it has or has not original jurisdiction. 
ARTICLE III. 
Of Masonic Law and Statutes. 
§ 19. The action of Freemasons in their Grand or subordinate 
Lodges, or in their individual character, is regulated and controlled : 

1. By Ancient Landmarks; or, the unwritten Law of Mascnry; 

2. By Wkitten Constitutions, and General or Special Legisxii- 

tion; and 

3. By Usages, Customs, Rules, Edicts, Resolutions, and law- 

ful judicial action. 



16 CONSTITUTION 

§. 20. The Ancient Landmarks are those principles of Masonic 
government and polity which are the only part of Masonic law or 
rule of government that may never be altered or disturbed, and 
such of them as are lawful to be written are usually, but not wholly, 
engrafted in written Constitutions and General or Special Legislation. 

§ 21. Constitutions are those written compacts cr laws adopted by 
Freemasons for the government of a Grand Lodge, and its subordi- 
nate Lodges, and their members — including fundamental provisions, 
constitutionally adopted, that are intended to be permanent in their 
character 

§. 22. General or Special Laws, Usages, and Customs. Rules, Edicts, 
and Resolutions are those Masonic rules of action adopted, by com- 
petent authority, for local or temporary purposes, admitting of 
change at convenience, and not embraced in Ancient Landmarks or 
Constitutions, and are herein termed Statutes. 

ARTICLE IY. 
Of the Powers and Duties of Grand Officers. 
§ 23. The Grand Master has power: 

1. To convene any Lodge within the jurisdiction, preside there- 

in, inspect its proceedings, and require its conformity to 
Masonic rules. 

2. To require the attendance of, and information from any Grand 

Officer respecting his office. 

3. To suspend any elected Officer of a Lodge from the functions 

of his office for just cause. 

4. To suspend the warrant of a Lodge for just cause until the 

next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. 

5. In case of a vacancy in the offices of Master and Wardens of a 

Lodge, to grant a dispensation for an election to fill such 
vacancies. 

6. To grant a dispensation to a Lodge to elect or install its Offi- 

cers, when such Lodge may have failed to elect or install its 
Officers at the proper time. 

7. To grant a dispensation for a new Lodge, under the restric- 

tions of the Constitution and on the petition of at least 
seven Master Masons. 

8. To grant such other dispensations as may be applied for in 

accordance with the Constitution. 

9. To appoint Representatives of this Grand Lodge near other 

recognized Grand Lodges, and to receive and accredit Rep- 
resentatives of other recognized Grand Lodges near this 
Grand Lodge. 

10. To appoint such Officers as may be required under this Con- 

stitution. 

11. To do such other things as are inherent in and pertain to his 

office, and are not in conflict with this Constitution. 
§ 24. It is the duty of the Grand Master: 

1. To preside in the Grand Lodge. 

2. To exercise all the executive functions of the Grand Lodge 

when it is not in session. , 



OP THE GEAND LODGE. 17 

§ 25. In case of the death, absence, or inability of tLe Grand Mas- 
ter, or of a vacancy in his office, the Deputy Grand Master. Senior 
Grand Warden, and Junior Grand Warden will in succession assume 
his prerogatives, powers, and duties, for all purposes. 

§ 2G. The Deputy Grand Master has power to discharge such exe- 
cutive functions of the Grand Lodge as may be delegated to him by 
the Grand Master, and such duties as may be imposed by this Con- 
stitution. 

§ 27. It shall be the duty of the Grand Wardens to assist in the 
affairs of the Grand Lodge, and diligently to endeavor to preserve 
the Ancient Landmarks throughout the jurisdiction. 

§ 28. It shall be the duty of the Grand Treasurer: 

1. To take charge of all the funds, property, securities and 

vouchers of the Grand Lodge, depositing the same in some 
depository to be approved by the Grand Master, in the name 
of the Grand Lodge, payable on his order as Grand Treasurer. 

2. To pay all orders duly drawn under general regulations or 

special directions of the Grand Lodge, aud certified by the 
Grand Secretary. 

3. To attend on the Grand Lodge or its presiding officer, when 

required, with the books and all documents relating to his 
office; and, when required, the meeting of any Committee 
whose duty it may be to act in relation to the fiscal concerns 
of the Grand Lodge. 
4=. To report annually to the Grand Lodge the amount of his re- 
ceipts and expenditures by items, and from whom and when 
received, and to whom and when paid, and the amount of 
securities in his hands for funds invested by the Trustees of 
the Permanent Fund. 

5. To execute and file with the Grand Master an official bond, 

with sureties, and in an amount to be approved by the Grand 
Master or Deputy Grand Master, at the commencement of 
each term of office, and to be renewed, as to amount or sure- 
ties, whenever required by the Grand Master, conditioned 
that he will pay or deliver on demand to the Grand Lodge, 
or to his successor in office, all funds and property of the 
Grand Lodge that shall come to his hands as Grand Treasurer 
and remain unexpended; and, 

6. To pay and deliver, at the expiration of his term, to his suc- 

cessor in office, or such person as shall be designated by the 
Grand Lodge, all moneys, securities, evidences of debt, 
books, writings, and property of the Grand Lodge under his 
control, with all proper assignments when necessary. 
§ 29. It shall be the duty of the Grand Secretary.- 

1 . To record the transactions of the Grand Lodge. 

2. To register aU initiates and members of Lodges under this 

jurisdiction returned to him for that purpose, with the par- 
ticulars set forth in such returns. 

3. To receive, duly file, and safely keep all papers and documents 

of the Grand Lodge. 

4. To sign and certify all instruments from the Grand Lodge. x 



13 CONSTITUTION 

5. To receive and keep a proper account of all moneys of the Grand 

Lodge, with date of their receipt, and pay over the same 
promptly to the Grand Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor. 

6. To report annually to the Grand Lodge the amount of money 

received by him, by items and dates, and the specific sources 
from which it was received ; also the Lodges tfiat have neg- 
lected to render proper returns of their elections, members 
and dues, and such general information as to the state of the 
Lodges as may be ij roper for the information or action of the 
Grand Lodge. 

7. To conduct tne correspondence of the Grand Lodge, under the 

direction of the Grand Master, and in a Masonic manner. 

8. To attend, with any books, papers or writings under his con- 

trol, or in his cu&tody, on all meetings of the Grand Lodge, 
and whenever required by the Grand Master or Deputy Grand 
Master, on the requisition of the Grand Master; and also to 
attend upon the orand Master or Deputy Grand Master, on 
Masonic business when required. 

9. To keep his office open, for the transaction of Masonic busi- 

ness, at least five hours each day, except Sunday, of which 
public notice shall be given. 

10. To transmit to the several Grand Lodges, in correspondence 

with this Grand Lodge a certificate of the election of Grand 
Officers, immediately thereafter, containing their signatures, 
respectively, and authenticated under his hand and seal of 
the Grand Lodge, with a request for a similar document 
from each of said Grand Lodges. 

11. To notify each of the Lodges, in any Masonic District, of the 

appointment cf a District Deputy Grand Master for that 
District, and to furnish each District Deputy Grand Master 
with a list of the Lodges in hib District, and to furnish blank 
forms for the annual statements of District Deputy Grand 
Masters. 

12. To prepare forms of Registry and Returns of the Elections, 

blanks for Tabular statements of District Deputy Grand 
Masters, and Certificates of the Appointment of Proxies, in 
accordance with the Constitution, and to furnish two copies 
of each to each Lodge annually. 

13. To keep an Alphabetical Register of all rejections officially re- 

ported to him from Lodges, specifying the date of such re- 
jection, the age. occupation and residence of the person re- 
jected, and such other information as may be embodied in 
such reports, together with the name and number of the 
Lodge from which received, and at all proper times to fur- 
nish the free inspection of said Register to ail Master Masons 
in good standing. 
§ 30. It shall be the duty of the Grand Chaplains to attend the 

Grand Lodge and to conduct its religious services. 

§ 31. It shall be the duty of the Grand Marshal, Grand Standard 

Bearer, Grand Sword Bearer, Grand Stewards, Grand Deacons, Grand 



OT THE GRAND LODGE. 19 

Pursuivant and Gracd Tiler to perform such duties as pertain to 
their offices. 

§ 32. It shall be the duty of the several Officers of the Grand 
Lodge, in addition to the duties herein specially mentioned, to per- 
form such other duties appertaining to their offices as shall, from 
time to time, be directed by the Grand Lodge, or Grand Master, un- 
der the provision of this Constitution. 

ARTICLE V. 

Masonic Districts and the Powers and Duties of District Deputy 

Grand Masters. 

§ 33. The existing Masonic Districts shall remain as now organ- 
ized, subject to alterations by the Grand Lodge at any Annual Com* 
iiiunicution. 

§ 34. Every District Deputy Grand Master shall be well skilled in 
the Standard Work of the three Degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, 
and in the customs and usages of the Craft; he shall be a Master or 
Past Master, and a Member in good standing of some Lodge in the 
District for which he is appointed, and shall receive a warrant of his 
appointment, signed by the Grand Master and attested by the Grand 
Secretary. 

§ 35. Each District Deputy Grand Master shall have power, and it 
shall be his duty: 

1. To appoint Commissioners to hear and determine matters of 

controversy that may arise in his District. 

2. To visit officially every Lodge in his District, at a stated or 

special communication thereof, at least once during hig 
term, if practicable; and all necessary expenses incurred by 
him, while in the discharge of thisduty, shall be paid by the 
Lodge so visited. 

3. To preside in each Lodge upon the occasion of his official 

visit after it is opened; to examine its books and records, and 
see if they are properly kept; to inform himself of the num- 
ber of members, and the punctuality and regularity of their 
attendance; to ascertain the state and condition of the Lodge 
in all respects; to point out any errors he may ascertain in 
their conduct and mode of working; and to instruct them in 
every particular wherein he shall find they may require or 
may desire information, and particularly to recommend at- 
tention to the moral and benevolent principles of Masonry, 
and caution in the admission of candidates ; to determine and 
order in what cases a member, alleged to have been illegally 
stricken from the rolls, rendered unaffiliated, or suspended 
for non-payment of dues only, shall be restored to the rolls 
or reinstated; and if he discover in his District any Masonic 
error or evil, to endeavor to immediately arrest the same by 
Masonic means, and, if he judge it expedient, to specially 
report the same to the Grand Master. 

4. To receive and secure the funds and property of any dormant 

or extinct Lodge in his District. 



20 CONSTITUTION 

\ 5. To prepare, on blanks to be furnished by the Grand Secretary, 
a statement in tabular form of the condition cf each Lodge 
in his District for the year ending on the first day of May in 
each year, and transmit such statement to the Grand Secre- 
tary, to be by him laid before the Grand Lodge. 

6. To prepare a report for the year ending on the first day of May 

in each year, on the general condition of Masonry in his Dis- 
trict, and of his acts therein, with such particulars as he may 
deem necessary, and transmit such report to the Grand Mas- 
ter on or before the fifteenth day of May in each year. 

7. To perform such other services and executive duties as may 

be deputed or intrusted to him by the Grand Master or by 
the Grand Lodge. 

ARTICLE VI. 
Of Work and Lectures. 

% 36. The Grand Lecturer shall be a Master or Past Master, of Ma- 
sonic skill and learning, and shall have power to appoint one or 
more competent assistants in each judicial district of this State. 

§ 37. It shall be the duty of the Grand Lecturer and his assistants 
to impart the Standard Work and Lectures approved and determined 
by the Grand Lodge, to the Lodges or brethren in this jurisdiction, 
in such manner as the Grand Lodge may prescribe. 

§ 38. Every Lodge shall adopt and practice the Standard of Work 
and Lectures imparted by the Grand Lecturer or Assistant Grand 
Lecturers, and no other; and any Lodge violating this provision 
without express authority from this Grand Lodge, shall be subject 
to punishment. 

§ 39. Any Freemason not duly authorized, who shall impart any 
Work or Lectures, except in the instruction of an actual candidate, 
shall be subject to discipline; but this shall not apply to the Master 
or Wardens of a Lodge, or any Present or Past Master, or competent 
brother invited by them. 

ARTICLE VII. 

Of Revenue and Funds. 
% 40. The revenue of this Grand Lodge shall be derived from the 
following sources: 

1. For every Dispensation to form a new Lodge $100 00 

2. And if a Warrant shall be afterward granted, the ad- 

ditional sum of 20 00 

3. For every Grand Lodge Diploma 2 00 

4. For every Grand Lodge Traveling Certificate 50 

5. For every person Initiated into a Lodge 3 50 

$3 whereof shall be appropriated to the increase of 
the Hall and Asylum Fund. 

6. For the adjoining fee of every Master Mason and E. 

A. or F. C., from without the jurisdiction • 50 

7. For registry fee of every adjoining member or En- 

tered Apprentice made 25 



OF THE GEAND LODGE. 21 

8. Every Lodge shall pay for each of its members annu- 

ally 50 

9. Every Lodge shall pay for each of its members annu- 

ally, for the period of hve years 50 

which shall be appopriated to the Hall and Asylum 
Fund. 

§ 41. Every Lodge shall pay a full year's dues on all members em- 
braced in its last previous return, but no dues for members made or 
affiliated during the year for which the return is made. 

§ 42. The management of the permanent funds is vested in a Board 
of Trustees, denominated the Trustees of the Permanent Fund, con- 
sisting of the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens 
and Grand Secretary, and all the invested funds of the Grand Lodge 
shall be placed under the management and stand in the names of the 
said Trustees, whose duty it shall be to take the best measures for 
the security and increase of said funds, and to invest from time to 
time, as a majority may decide upon, all money which shall come 
into the hands of the Grand Treasurer, after paying salaries, repre- 
sentatives and rent, and after leaving in his hands for charitable and 
contingent purposes, such sum as the Grand Lodge may, from time 
to time, direct. The said Trustees shall deposit in the 'hands of the 
Grand Treasurer the security and vouchers of the said invested funds, 
and shall not have the power to appropriate any part of the invested 
fund without a vote of the Grand Lodge at the annual communica- 
tion. 

§ 43. The accounts of the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary 
shall be examined, and the items compared with tne vouchers quar- 
terly, by a discreet Committee of three Brethren — Past Masters, Mas- 
ters or Wardens — from different lodges, to be appointed by the Grand 
Master or the Deputy Grand Master, and such committee shall make 
and certify their report to the officer appointing them. 

ARTICLE Till. 
Of Salaries of Officers and the Pay of Representatives. 
§ 44. The Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary, Grand Lecturer, Grand 
Pursuivant, and Grand Tiler shall each receive such stated compensa- 
tion for his services as the Grand Lodge shall direct, which compensa- 
tion shall be fixed before said officers or any of them are elected or 
appointed, and shall not be altered at any time so as to affect the in- 
cumbent in office. 

ARTICLE IX. 
Of Warranted Lodges. 
§ 45. A warranted Lodge consists of a Master, a Senior Warden, a 
Junior Warden, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Senior Deacon, a Junior 
Deacon, a Tiler, and as many members as may be convenient, con- 
gregating and working in pursuance and by virtue of a warrant held 
under the authority of a Grand Lodge having lawful jurisdiction over 
it. 
§ 46. The powers, duties and privileges of a Warranted Lodge 



22 CONSTITUTION 

Tinder this jurisdiction are such as are defined by its warrant, bj 
the Constitution of this Grand Lodge and the Ancient Landmarks. ' 
They are divided into: 

1. Executive: The Master has the primary executive power of 

the Lodge. 

2. Legislative: Over all matters relating to its internal concerns, 

not in derogation of the Ancient Landmarks, the Consti- 
tution of this Grand Lodge, or of its own particular By-Laws. 

3. Judicial: In the excercise of discipline and the hearing and 
determining of controversies. 

ARTICLE X. 

Of the Dissolution of Lodges, and Surrender of and Forfeiture of 

Warrants. 

§ 47. A Lodge can be dissolved only by the surrender or forfeiture 
of its warranty 

§ 48. The warrant of a Lodge can be surrendered only when there 
cannot be found among its members seven brethren duly qualified 
desirous of retaining the same. 

§ 49. A Lodge may forfeit its warrant by: 

1. Contumacy to the authority of the Grand Master or Grand 

Lodge. 

2. Departure from the original plan of Masonry and Ancient 

Landmarks. 

3. Disobedience to the Constitution or Laws. 

4. Ceasing to meet for one year, and 

5. Neglecting to make returns and pay dues for two years. 
§ 50. No warrant of a Lodge can be declared forfeited except upon 

charges regularly made in Grand Lodge, at its Annual Communication 
of which charges due notice shall be given to the Lodge, and an op- 
portunity afforded of being heard in its defence. 

§ 51. The surrender of a warrant, when approved, or the forfeiture 
of a warrant, when declared by the Grand Lodge, shall be conclusive 
upon the Lodge and its members, and all the property of the Lodge 
shall become the property of, and must, on demand, be surrendered 
to the Grand Lodge, or its authorized agent, by the person or per- 
sons having its custody. 

§ 52. The warrant of a Lodge may be suspended by the Grand 
Lodge or Grand Master, at any time, upon proper cause shown; 
which suspension when made by the Grand Master, shall not extend 
beyond the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. 

ARTICLE XI. 

Dispensations for Neio Lodges. 
§ 53. No dispensation to form a new Lodge In the State of New 
York shall be issued without the recommendation of all the Lodges 
whose jurisdiction would be effected by such new Lodge, except in 
cities ; nor in any city except upon the recommendation of at least a 
majority of all the Lodges in such city, unless such city shall consist 
of more than one Masonic District, in which case the consent of a 



OF THE GRAND LODGE. 23 

majority of the Lodges in the District in which it is sought to locate 
such new Lodge shall be sufficient; nor within three months next 
preceding an Annual Communication, nor without the certificate of 
a warranted Lodge, whose jurisdiction would be effected by such new 
Lodge, that the proposed Master and Wardens of such new Lodge 
have exhibited their work in the three degrees of Ancient Crai't Ma- 
sonry in said warranted Lodge, and that such proposed Master and 
Wardens are well skilled in the said Work, and are competent to 
confer said degrees and impart the lectures thereof, and that all of 
the petitioners for such Dispensation are in good Masonic standing; 
nor without a good and sufficient certificate that each of the affiliated 
petitioners for such Dispensation has paid all his dues to the war- 
ranted Lodge of which he is a member, nor unless the certificate of 
dimission, or its equivalent, of each of the unaffiliated ijet.tioners 
accompanies such petition. 

RETICLE XII. 
Of Membership. 
§ 54. Membership in a Lodge shall only be acquired by a brother 
in the manner following: 

1. By having been named one of the persons to whom was grant- 

ed the Dispensation or Warrant under which the Lodge is 
constituted. 

2. By having been accepted by the Lodge as a candidate, and af- 

terward having received the third degree. 

And every brother receiving that degree shall be deemed 
a member of the Lodge by which he shall have been 
accepted (if it shall then exist), and it shall be his duty, im- 
mediately after receiving such degree, to sign the By-Laws 
of such Lodge. 

3. An Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft made by a Lodge 

whic.i shall have ceased to exist, may apply to any Lodge 
within the jurisdiction of which he resides for the remaining 
degrees or degree; and, if the Lodge accept his application, 
shall become a member of such Lojge and sign its By-Laws 
on receiving the third degree, and 

4. By regular affiliation; but no Master Mason shall become a 

member of a Lodge other than that in which, or at the re- 
quest, or upon tbe consent of which he received the third 
degree, unless it shall appear that he is non-affiliated and not 
indebted to any Lodge for dues or assessments, and that no 
charges of unmasonic conduct are pending against him. 

ARTICLE XIH. 
1 Of Candidates. 

\ § 55. No Lodge shall initiate a person except upon his petition, and 
no petition for initiation shall be received by a Lodge unless the pe- 
titioner shall have in such petition answered in writing the questions 
prescribed in the Statutes. 

§ 56. A Lodge shall not initiate any person without due inquiry 



24 CONSTITUTION 

into his character, nor without being satisfied, in a Masonic manner, 
that he has ncJ- been previously rejected. If it shall be ascertained 
that a person, being a petitioner for initiation, has been rejected, then 
no Lodge shall -"nitiate him until the expiration of six months alter 
such rejection, acr without the permission of the Lodge that re- 
jected him, expressed by a majority vote, if such Lodge exist. 

§ 57. A ballot for each degree is an undeniable right whenever de- 
manded, and if after a candidate has been accepted, and before he 
has been initiated, a new ballot be demanded, it must be taken, and 
if such ballot result in a rejection, it shall have the same effect as if 
it had occurred when such candidate was accepted; and if, after a 
candidate has been initiated, any member shall demand a ballot upon 
the advancement of the candidate, and such ballot result in a rejec- 
tion, the candidate may again apply for advancement at any subse- 
quent stated Communication of the Lodge, the application must lie 
over at least to the next Stated Communication, and a clear ballot 
must be had before the candidate can be advanced. But no written 
or verbal objection, except as above stated, shall have the effect to 
reject the application of a candidate. 

ARTICLE XIV. 
Trials and Appeals, 
§ 58. The Grand Lodge shall have original jurisdiction to enforce 
the provisions of its Constitution and Statutes, aud to hear and de- 
termine charges which may be preferred against an unaffiliated Ma- 
eon and all matters of controversy which miy arise between Lodges, 
or between a Lodge and its Master, or between a Lodge and a num- 
ber or the members of another Lodge, or members of different 
Lodges; aud when charges are preferred in any of the foregoing 
case?;, it shall be the duty of the Grand Ala-ter, or a Distriot Deputy 
Grand Master of the District in which the offense or controversy 
shall arise, to appoint by his warrant, a commission, consisting of 
not more than hve nor less than three disinterested brethern, who 
shall have attained the rank of Master, and shall hail from at least 
three different Lodges, to hear and determine the same. 

S 59. Tne Grand Lodge, upon the nomination of the Grand Master, 
shall appoint six Commissioners, to be styled the Commission of Ap- 
peals, to consist of Masters or Past Masters in good Masonic stand- 
ing. These Commissioners, immediately after their appointment 
shall divide themselves by lot into three classes, and certify the same 
to the Grand Secretary. The term of office of class number one shall 
expire at the end of the first year; of class number two, at the end 
of two years, and of class number three, at the end of three years: 
so that there shall be at all times thereafter two Commissioners an- 
nually selected by the Grand Lodge, upon the nomination of the 
Grand Master, in place of those whose terms have expired, who shall 
hold their office for three years. Vacancies for unexpired terms may 
be filled in like manner. 

§ 60. The Grand Lodge, upon the nomination of the Grand Master, 
shall appoint an additional Commissioner to preside in said Commis- 
sion of Appeals, to be styled Chief Commissioner, and to hold office 



OF THE GRAND LODGE. 25 

for three years. Vacancies in the office of Chief Commissioner for 
the unexpired term shall be rilled by the Grand Master. 

§ 61. The Commission of Appeals thus constituted shall have tho 
same powers and duties as have been exercised by Committees on 
Appeals in the Grand Lodge, and shall meet at each Annual Commu- 
nication. 

ARTICLE XV. 
Of Amendments. 

§ 62. No amendment to this Cons titution shall be made, or have 
any effect until it shall have been proposed in Grand Lodge at its 
Annual Communication in June, and been adopted by the Grand 
Lodge at tne same communication, and then again adopted in like 
manner by the Grand Lodge at the next succeeding Annual June 
Communication — or, in addition to the adoption thereof at one such 
Annual Communication, it shall, during the next year succeeding, and 
before the next Annual June Communication thereafter, be adopted 
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Lodges within this juris- 
diction—to take effect as soon as such consent is promulgated by the 
Grand Master. If any such amendment be adopted, it shall b? ap- 
pended to the published proceedings at the end, under the caption, 
"Proposed Amendment to the Constitution," and sent with the print- 
ed proceedings to all the Lodges in the jurisdiction, and no General 
Regulat oh shall be adopted inconsistent with this Constitution, and 
all former written Constitutions are hereby repealed, and all General 
Regulations and decisions heretofore made and adopted are also here- 
by repealed. 

§ G3. The Statutes may be amended at any Annual Communication 
of the Grand Lodge by a two-thirds vote, provided that notice of 
such proposed amendment shall have been given and the amend- 
ment proposed, presented in writing at the previous Annual Commu- 
nication. 



STATUTES. 

ARTICLE I. 

Installation, Style, and Insignia of Grand Officers. 

&EC. 1. All the elected Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge shall be 
installed at the Annual Communication at which they shall be elect- 
ed, or on the nearest convenient day thereafter. 

§ 2. The Style of the Grand Master is Most Worshipful, of the re- 
maining Grand Officers, Right Worshipful, except the Grand Pursui- 
vant and Grand Tiler whose style is Worshipful. 

§ 3. Each member of the Grand Lodge shall appear therein with 
his proper jewel and clothing. 

ARTICLE II. 
Salaries, Pay of Representat.v:?, and Deductions. 
§ 4. In the computation of time relat've to salaries of Grand Offi- 
cers, the year shall be considered as commencing on the last day of 
the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, and such salaries to 
be paid quarterly accordingly. 

§ 5. The representative from each Lodge shall be entitled to re- 
ceive his traveling expenses at the rates established by the proprie- 
tors of public conveyances, which he shall take in coming directly 
from his Lodge to the place of meeting and returning thereto, as 
charged by said proprietors at the time, and also five dollars for each 
day's attendance, and three dollars per day for time actually necessa- 
ry for traveling to and from the Grand Lodge, not exceeding two 
days in going and returning. And. though he represent more than one 
Lodge, he shall receive pay only for one Lodge; nor shall he receive 
more than the aggregate dues of the Lodges he shall represent. 

§ 6. Grand Officers, and past, elected, and installed Grand Officers, 
enumerated in section 5 of the constitution, (who do not receive 
salaries as such or pay as representatives of Lodges) and ommis- 
sioners of Appeals, shall be entitled to the like compensation from 
the funds of the Grand Lodge. 

§ 7. Absence of a Grand Officer or Representative, before the close 
of the Communication, for any cause except sickness of or calamity 
to himself or his family, shall forfeit all claim to payment or compen- 
sation under the two next preceding sections. 



OF THE GRAND LODGE. 27 

ARTICLE III. 
Elective Officers of Lodges, How and When Chosen and Installed. If not 
done in time, Dispensation to issue. Other Officers may be Ap- 
pointed. 

§ 8. The Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and 
Secretary of a warranted Lodge must be chosen annually, by ballot, 
and by a majority of votes at the Stated Communication of such 
Lodge next preceding the twenty-seventh day of December, sum- 
moned as required by the warrant, and be installed on or before the 
next Stated Communication thereafter. 

Any Lodge may provide for such additional officers, to be either 
elected or appointed, as its By-Laws may prescribe. 

If, at the time prescribed, a Lodge shall fail to elect, or within the 
time prescribed shall fail to install its Master and Wardens, or any 
of them; or if, having elected its Master and Wardens at the prescrib- 
ed time any of them shall fail or refuse to be installed within the 
prescribed time, the Grand Master may grant a Dispensation to such 
Lodge to elect or to install such officer or officers as the exigencies 
of the case may require. 

ARTICLE IV. 
Qualifications for Office, and Voting, and of Disfranchisement. 

§ 9. Every member of a Lodge in good standing is entitled to vote; 
provided, however, that a Lodge may enact and enforce a By-Law 
which will disfranchise a member, at an election of officers, for non- 
payment of dues. Every voter is eligible to any office in the Lodge 
except that of Master. 

§ 10. No member can be a Master of a warranted Lodge unless he 
has previously served as an installed Master or Warden, except at 
the institution of a new Lodge. 

11. Membership in a Lodge is necessary to constitute eligibility to 
olice therein, except in the case of a Tiler, who must be a member 
of some Lodge, but need not be a member of the Lodge for which he 
tiles. 

ARTICLE Y. 
Resignations, Vacancies in Office, How and When Supplied. 
§ 12. Neither Master nor Warden can resign, and every installed 
officer shall hold his office until his successor shall have been in- 
stalled, unless his office become vacant, as provided in the next 
section. 
§ 13. A vacancy in office in a Lodge can only occur — 

1. By death. 

2. By resignation of another than Master or Warden. 

3. By election and installation of the holder of such office to fill 

another office in the Lodge. 

4. By expulsion, or by suspension for a time extending beyond 

the next annual election, or by removal from office. 
§ 14. A vacancy in an elective office, except that of Master or War- 



28 STATUTES 

den, may be filled by ballot at any Stated Communication upon full 
notice to the members. A vacancy in an appointed office may be 
filled at any time. In case the offices of Master and Wardens become 
vacant, an election can be held only by virtue of a Dispensation from 
the Grand Master, which is without fee, and must be applied for by 
two thirds of the members present, to be so certified by the Secre- 
tary; and in case such election be held, the members shall be sum- 
moned as for an annual election, and its result shall be immediately 
reported to the Grand Secretary, and the officers duly installed. 

ARTICLE VI. 
Proxy Representative of Lodge in Grand Lodge, How and When Chosen. 

§ 15. A Lodge may, at a Stated Communication thereof, within the 
restrictions of Section Thirteen of the Constitution, by a majority 
vote, appoint a proxy to represent it, in the absence of its Master 
and Wardens, at the next succeeding Annual Communication of the 
Grand Lodge. 

ARTICLE VII. 
By-Laws of Lodge — Power to Make, and What to Contain. 

§ 16. A Lodge has full power and authority to enact By-Laws for its 
own government, in conformity to the Constitution of this Grand 
Lodge and the principles of Masonry, and any By-Law inconsistent 
therewith is absolutely void. 

§ 17. A Lodge may, at a Stated Communication, when summoned 
for the purpose, and on notice, tax or assess its members for strictly 
Masonic purposes, but for no other. 

ARTICLE VIII. 
Visitation of Lodges by Brethren Regulated. 
§18. No visitor can be admitted into any Lodge without due in- 
quiry and satisfaction as to his good Masonic standing; nor can he be 
admitted if his admission will disturb the harmony of the Lodge or 
embarrass its work. 

ARTICLE IX. 
Precedents of Lodges, Changing of Location, Seal, and Books, and Pen- 
alty for Failure to Work for One Year. 

§ 19. Lodges shall take precedence according to the order in which 
they stand upon the Roll of the Grand Lodge. 

§ 20. A Lodge may not remove its place of meeting from the 
town, village, city, or portion of a city named in its warrant nor 
from one place to another in such town, village, city, or portion of a 
city, without a concurrent vote of two thirds of the members pres- 
ent, and voting at a Stated Communication, to attend which they shall 
have been required by a summons, served at least ten days previously, 
stating the subject to be acted upon at such Communication. The 
removal of a Lodge from the town, village, city, or portion of a city 
named in its warrant, must receive the sanction of the Grand Lodge 
previous thereto. 



OF THE GRAND LODGE. 29 

§21. Every Lodge shall have a seal, and shall keep the following 
book?, to wit: 

A Book or' By-Laws, with the signatures of the members. 

A Record Book of the proceedings of the Lodge. 

A Register containing the name of each member, his birthplace, 
age, occupation, residence, the dates of his initiation, passing and 
raising or affiliation, and also the date of the termination or suspen- 
sion of Lis membership, with the cause thereof, as the same may 
occur. 

An alphabetical list of expulsions, suspensions and rejections. 

Such books as may be necessary to present clearly the receipts and 
accounts of the Treasurer and Secretary. 

It shall also be the duty of the Lodge to keep, with the Lodge 
books, a book of Constitutions and Statutes of the Grand Lodge, to 
which shall be added, from time time, all alterations duly adopted 
by the Grand Lodge. It shall also be the duty of the Lodge to pre- 
serve in its archives a copy of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, 
as published from year to year. 

§ 22. Every Lodge shall meet at least once in each year — and the 
neglect of a Lodge to hold any meeting for one year, or to make re- 
turns and pay dues for two years successively, shall subject it to for- 
feiture of its warrant— and a Lodge neglecting to pay its annual dues 
shall not be entitled to be represented in Grand Lodge. 

ARTICLE X. 

Charity — Right to, and How Furnished. 

§ 23 All members of Lodges in good standing, their wives, widows 
and minor children, have a right to charitable relief from such 
Lodges upon presenting satisfactory evidence of their Masonic 
character or leations, and that thej r are in necessitous circumstances. 

§ 24. If a claim for charitable relief be made upon the funds of a 
Lodge, when not in session, the Master and Wardens shall be a 
Committee to examine the same, and they shall be authorized to draw 
upon the funds of the Lodge to an amount not exceeding the amount 
specified in the By-Laws for present relief. 

ARTICLE XI. 
Lodges not to Divide Funds, nor to Allow Intoxicating Liquors, nor Work 
Clandestinely, or on Sunday. 
§ 25. No Lodge shall distribute its funds among its members, nor 
introduce intoxicating liquors within its Lodge room, or any room 
adjoining, nor countenance or permit clandestine lecturing, nor 
meet for Masonic labor, ther than in the burial of a Mason, on the 
tL.st d.iy of the week, commonly called Sunday. 
ARTICLE XII. 
Insignia of Lodge Officers. 
§ 2G. The jewels of the officers of Lodges are to be of silver or 
white metal; the color of their aprons to be of white, except as 
otherwise specially ordered or allowed by this Grand Lodge. 



30 STATUTES 

ARTICLE XIII. 

Masonic Duty Violated is an Offence. 
§ 27. When a duty is imposed, its neglect or violation, without ex- 
cuse, shall be considered an offence against Masonic law. 

ARTICLE XIV. 
Master's Duty. Vacancy in His Office, How Filled. Powers and Duties 
of One Acting as. No Appeal from the Chair. 
§ 28. The Master of a Lodge has power: 

1. To congregate the members of his Lodge upon any emergency. 

2. To issue summonses. 

3. To discharge all the executive functions of the Lodge; and, 

4. To remove any appointed officer for just cause. 

§ 29. In case of the death, absence, or inability of the Master, of a 
vacancy in his office, the Senior and Junior Wardens will, in succes- 
sion, succeed in his prerogatives and duties for all purposes, except 
such as pertain to the installation of the officers. 

§ 30. From the decision of the Master, or Warden presiding in the, 
absence of the Master, there shall be no appeal except to the Grand 
Master or Grand Lodge. 

ARTICLE XV. 
Treasurer's Duties. 

§ 31. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer of a Lodge: 

1. To receive from the Secretary all moneys paid into the Lodge, 

2, To ke«p a just and regular account thereof; and, 

8. To pay them out by order of the Master and consent of the 
Breihern. 

ARTICLE XVI. 
Secretary's Duties. 
% 32. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of a Lodge: 

1. To record the proceedings of the Lodge, under the direction 

of the presiding officer. 

2. To receive all moneys paid into the Lodge and pay the same to 

the Treasurer. 

3. To keep a register of the members of the Lodge, with a per- 

manent number affixed to each name, corresponding with the 
return for registry required by the Grand Lodge. 

4. To register alphabetically, in a suitable book, all expulsions, 

suspensions, rejections and restorations communicated by 
the Grand Lodge. 

6. To report immediately to the Grand Secretary (in case of all 
Lodges within the cities of New York and Brooklyn) the 
name, age, occupation and residence of every rejected candi- 
date for initiation ; and in every other city or town, where 
there is more than one suborbinate Lodge, he shall furnish 
all other Lodges in the same city or town the same informa- 
tion, under the seal of the Lodge. 

6. To make an annual return to the Grand Secretary of those who 



OF THE GRAND LODGE. 31 

nave been initiated, passed and raised, with the dates there- 
of, and of such other matters as may be required by the 
Gr»:id Secretary. 

T. To transmit, immediately after every election, a certificate of 
the names and residences of the Officers elected to the Grand 
Secretary, and to the District Deputy Grand Master of the 
District in which the Lolge is located. 

8 To make a full and correct return annually to the Grand Lodge 
of all who were members of the Lodge on the first day of 
May in each vear, which return shall be transmitted to the 
Grand Secretary on or before the 15th day of May in each 
year. 

9. To make a full and correct return annually to the District 

Deputy Grand Master, of the condition of the Lodge on the 
first dav of May. and in the form prescribed by the Grand 
Lodge, to be transmitted on or before the 5th day of May. 

10. To report, immediately after the expulsion or suspension of 
a member by the Lodge, the same to the Grand Secretary, 
with the cause of such expulsion or suspension. 

11. To certify and affix the seal of the Lodge to all returns and 
certificates of election made to the Grand Lodge, and to the 
District Deputy Grand Master; and 

12. To attest the official signature of the Master to all other Ma- 
sonic documents, when necessary. 

ARTICLE XYII. 
Minutes, Keeping and Approval of, and not to be Changed. 
§ 33. The minutes of a Communication shall be read and correct- 
ed 'if necessary), and approved by the Lodge before it is closed, and 
each proceedings shall be submitted to the Grand Lodge whenever 
required, and having been approved cannot be altered or expunged. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

Officers of Lodge Generally. 
% 31. The officers- shall be subject, in all things relating to their 
official duties, to the direction of the Master or presiding officer. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

Dispensations for New Lodges, How and When Issued ; and of Lodges 

U. D. 

§ 35. An elected officer of a Lodge cannot be a petitioner for a Dis- 
pensation for a new Lodge, nor can a member of a Lodge under the 
jurisdiction of another Grand Lodge be a petitioner for a Dispensa- 
tion for a new Lodge in the State of New York. 

8 36. A Lodge under Dispensation cannot elect or install its offi- 
cers, nor discipline its members or other Masons, nor can it be repre- 
sented in Grand Lodge, but it possesses all other powers and privi- 
leges, and must perform all the other duties of a warranted Lodge, 
except that it need not have a seal. 



SI STATUTES 

§ 37. No warrant shall be issued to any number of Masons less 
than seven, nor unless they shall have given proof of their skill and 
ability by Work under Dispensation, which shall be certified by the. 
Grand Lecturer or Assistant Grand Lecturer and District Deputy 
Grand Master of the District in which the Lodge is to be located ; 
nor unless said Dispensation and an attested transcript of all the 
proce3dings of such Lodge, including a copy of the By-Laws thereof, 
shall have been delivered to the Grand Lodge, nor unless they shall 
show that, as a Lodge under Dispensation, they are clear of all in- 
debtedncs3, and that they have secured and prepared a suitable and 
safe place for meeting as a Lodge. 

§ 38. All Brethren, members of or attached to a Lodge under Dis- 
pensation at the time of the expiration of the Dispensation, shall be 
deemed to continue such relation thereto, and be members of or 
attached to said Lodge whenever and as soon as said Lodge shall be 
duly warranted and constituted. 

§ 39. A Lodge under Dispensation must pay Grand Lodge dues of 
its members. 

§ 40. All Dispensations to form new Lodges expire on the 15th day 
of May in each year. 

ARTICLE XX. 

Full Membership in only one Lodge, and of Honorary Membership, How 

Acquired, and Eights of. 

§ 41. No Mason shall be a member of two Lodges at the same time; 
provided, however, that a Lodge at a Stated Communication, and by 
unanimous ballot, upon a proposition received at the previous Stated 
Communication, may confer honorary membership upon any Master 
Mason, who, at that time, shall be a member in good standing of some 
warranted Lodge ; but an honorary member of a Lodge shall not 
vote therein. 

ARTICLE XXI. 

Penalties for Unaffiliation, 

§ 42. One who shall remain an unaffiliated Mason within this ju- 

rlsdictio i oda year or nioie shall not be allowed to visit any Lodge, 

or join ia a Masonic procession, nor be entitled to receive .Viasomc 

relief or burial. 

ARTICLE XXII. 
Effect of Petitioning for Dispensation. 
6 43 If a member of a warranted Lodge join in a petition for a 
Dispensation to form a new Lodge ; and, such Dispensation be 
SaK his membership in such warranted Lodge shall be in abey- 
ance until the expiration of the Dispensation ; unless before that 
tme he shall have resumed full membership in the warranted 
Lodge by withdrawing from the new Lodge. If he shall not have 
withdrawn from the new Lodge before tbe expiration of the Dispen- 
sation and the new Lodge shall not be continued by a warrant his 
Sembership in the first above mentioned Lodge shall be resumed. 



OF THE GRAND IX)DGE. 33 

ARTICLE XXIII. 

Applications for Affiliation, Dimission, and Withdrawal.— How and 

When Granted and Effect. 

§ 44. A member of a Lodge may present his application to another 
Lodge for affiliation therein, and such last mentioned Lodge may 
receive the application, and refer it to a Committee of Investigation, 
and upon the report of the Committee take a ballot, and if thereupon 
such application be accepted, the brother shall become a member of 
the Lodge so accepting hira. when it shall receive a certificate that 
such brother has been regularly discharged from membership in the 
first mentioned Lodge. 

§ 45. No member shall be permitted to Dimit from the Lodge of 
which he is a member until he shall present a certificate from some 
warranted Lodge that he has petitioned for membership therein : on 
presentation of such certificate, and upon the written request of the 
brother, the Lodge, at a Stated Communication shall, if the member 
is not an elected officer of or indebted to the Lodge, or under 
charges, issue a certificate of Dimit, which shall not be delivered to 
the brother, but shall be transmitted, by the Secretary of the Lodge, 
to the Lodge from which such Certificate of petition came ; which 
Dimit shall not become operative, or the brother's membership in 
the Lodge issuing the Dimit terminated until notice has been receiv- 
ed that the brother has consummated membership in the other 
Lodge Provided that when any member shall be or become a resi- 
dent of another Grand Lodge jurisdiction, a Uimit may be granted 
to him direct and without compliance with the foregoing provisions. 

But any member of a Lodge against whom charges are not pend- 
ing, and whose dues and indebtedness to the Lodge are paid, may 
withdraw from membership by presenting a written application 
therefor at a Stated Communication. The Lodge shall grant the re- 
quest of the brother by dropping his name from the rolls, and his 
membership shall thereby be terminated, and he shall be subject to 
the disabilities of an unaffiliated Master Mason : Provided, however, 
that an elected officer cannot withdraw. 

ARTICLE XXIV. 

Kon-Payment of Dues, — Penalty for. How Dues are Affected by Unaffd- 
iation or Suspension, 

§ 46. A Lodge shall have the power to enact a By-Law which shall 
provide a penalty for the non-payment of Lodge dues, which penalty 
shall be unaffiliation ; but such penalty shall not be inflicted except 
for the non-payment of at least two years' dues, nor until the brother 
shall have been duly summoned thirty days previous to pay said 
two years' dues. Any such unaffiliated brother may be restored to 
membership by a majority vote of the members present, and voting 
at a stated Communication, provided he shall have paid the amount 
due at the time of such restoration. 

§ 47. A Lodge shall not be liable for Grand Lodge dues for a mem- 
ber unaffiliated for non-payment of dues until restored to member- 
Bhip. 



34 STATUTES 

§ 48. Suspension, after due Masonic trial, shall not relieve the 
member from payment of Lodge dues, or the Lodge from Grand 
Lodge dues. 

ARTICLE XXV. 
Petitions for Initiation, Requisites of, and Fees on. Lodge Jurisdiction 
over Candidates. Duties of Lodges, Officers and Members on, and on 
Work thereon, or on Degrees. Fraud or Falsehood of Candidate, how 
Punished. 
§ 49. The following are the questions required to be answered by 
a petitioner for initiation : 
What is your age ? 
Where born ? 
Where do you reside ? 
What is your occupation ? 
Have you resided in the State of New York the twelve months 

last past ? 
Have you resided in the town, village, or city in which you now 

resTrTft for f^~ Tront^n 1o °* TOSfc? 
Have you ever, to your knowlodge or belief presented a petition 
to or been rejected in any Masonic Lodge, and, if so, when 
and in what Lodge ? 
Do you believe in t he existence of one ever living and true God? 
Do you know of any physical, legal, or moral reason which should 
prevent you from becoming a Freemason ? 
§ 50. The jurisdiction of a Lodge over candidates extends over all 
persons residing nearer to it than to any other Lodge within this 
jurisdiction, except that if there be more than one Lodge in a village 
or city, those Lodges shall have concurrent jurisdiction, and except 
that Lodges in the cities of New York and Brooklyn shall have con- 
current jurisdiction. 

§ 51. No Lodge shall initiate any candidate who is a resident of the 
State of New York, unless he has been such resident for twelve 
months next preceding the application for such initiation, and for 
four months in the jurisdiction of the Lodge to which he applies, 
without the consent of the Lodge within the jurisdiction of which he 
last previously resided ; and no Lodge shall initiate any candidate who 
is not a resident of the State of New York without the consent of a 
warranted Lodge, acting in accordance with the Constitution and 
Laws (by whatever name such Laws may be known) of the Grand 
Lodge under the jurisdiction of which such candidate resides, pro- 
vided, however, this section shall not apply to seafaring men or 
persons in the United States naval or military service. 

§ 52. A petition for initiation or affiliation cannot be received by a 
Lodge except at a Stated Communication, and when received it shall 
be referred to an Investigating Committee of not less than three 
members, and no report of an Investigating Committee shall be 
received until at least two weeks after such petition shall have been 
referred. 

§ 53. A petition for initiation, after having been rightfully present- 
ed and referred, cannot be withdrawn, but must be acted upon by 



OF THE GRAND LODGE. 35 

report of Committee and a ballot; and an adverse ballot cannot be 
reconsidered under any circumstances in less than six months there- 
after, and then only on a new petition of the candidate. 

A petition wrongfully presented and referred must be returned as 
soon as the error be discovered. 

§ 54. No ballot on a petition for initiation, passing or raising, or for 
affiliation, can be taken at any other than a Stated Communication 
and unless the ballet be unanimous in favor of the petitioner, h© 
Khali be declared rejected. 
§ 55. Every member of a Lodge present at any balloting therein for 
initiation, advancement, or affiliation, must vote. 

§ 56. If at any time it shall be charged that a Mason made any mis- 
representation to the Lodge in which he shall have been initiated, 
or to a Committee of Investigation appointed by such Lodge, or used 
any concealment or deceit in relation to his initiation, he may be 
tried therefor, and, if found guilty, may be punished by suspension 
or expulsion. 

§ 57. No discussion upon the merits of a petitioner for initiation, 
passing or raising, shall be allowed in the Lodge. 

§ 58. The balloting on a petition cannot be postponed or adjourned 
but when once commenced must be completed, and the resuit there- 
of be declared. 

§ 59. A Lodge shall not initiate, pass, or raise more than five can- 
didates at one Communication, and shall not confer more than one 
degree upon a candidate in any one day. 
§ 60. A Lodge 6hall not confer the second degree or the third de- 
gree on the same candidate or candidates, at a less interval than two 
weeks from the time of conferring the preceding degree. 

§ 61. No officer or other member of a Lodge shall be permitted to 
procure the initiation or advancement of any candidate in any other 
Lodge than that in which such candidate shall have been accepted. 

§ 62. No Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft, initiated or passed in 
any Lodge within the United States, shall be passed or raised in any 
Lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, other than that in 
which he was initiated, unless the consent of the Lodge in which he 
was initiated or passed shall have been obtained, provided said Lodge 
continue in existence. 

§ 63. No Lodge shall make a Mason for a sum less than twenty 
dollars, nor upon credit. 

§ 64 No candidate shall be passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, or 
raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, without proof of suita- 
ble proficiency in the preceding degree, ascertained from an exami- 
nation by a competent brother in open Lodge, or by a Committee 
appointed for that purpose. 

§ 65. Any brother who shall in any way make known the kind of 
ballet cast by himself or another, on an application for the degrees ot 
Masonry, or any of them, or for affiliation, or if afier any such ballot- 
ing as aforesaid, at which such application has been rejected, any 
brother shall in any way declare that he or any other brother cast a 
certain kind of ballot at such balloting or shall declare that any speci- 
fied or indicated number of white balls or ballots, or clack balls or oal- 
lots, was cast at any balloting as aforesaid it shall be deemed a Alasonic 
offence, and such brother so offending may, on conviction thereof, 
be suspended for a period not exceeding one year. And, on the tr*.*i 



36 STATUTES 

of a brother for any offence specified in this section, it shall not be 
permitted to prove the kind of ballot cast by any brother, nor the 
number of white balls or ballots, or black balls or ballots, cast at any 
such balloting. 

ARTICLE XXVI. 

Charges, Trials, and Appeals. 

§ 66. After service of the charges against a brother, the Commission 
shall appoint a time and place for the trial convenient to the parties 
and summon the parties and their witnesses ; and any Master of a 
Lodge may issue a like summons for witnesses at the request of 
either party. 

§ 67. When the trial is concluded, the Commissioners shall, as soon 
as possible, make their report of the facts found by them, and their 
determination upon the matter, and give notice thereof to each of 
the parties, and a majority of the Commissioners must concur in the 
judgment of the Commission; a copy of which report must be filed 
with the Grand Secretary. 

§ 68. The decision of the Commissioners shall be final unless an 
appeal shall be taken therefrom to the Grand Master or Grand Lodge 
within six months, in which caae it shall be the duty of the Com- 
missioners, upon receiving notice of such appeal, to transmit their 
report together with all the papers and proceedings in the case, to 
the Grand Secretary, unless they have already filed a copy. The 
appellant shall also, within thirty days after notice of the decision, 
give notice of intention to appeal to the opposing party. The deci- 
sion of the Grand Master shall be final, unless a further appeal be 
taken within thirty days after notice thereof. 

§ 69. When notice of appeal to the Grand Lodge shall have been 
filed with the Grand Secretary, that officer shall immediately, or as 
soon as received, send to the Chief Commissioner all papers and 
reports having reference to the case, to the end that the Commission 
of Appeals may have time to examine the appeal in advance of the 
meeting of the Grand Lodge. 

§ 70. The appeal shall be Leard before the Commission of Appeals 
during the session of tne Grand Lodge, and the decision of the 
Grand Lodge upon the report of said Commission shall be conclusive 
upon all parties. 

§ 71. A Warranted Lodge shall have, with the Grand Lodge, con 
current jurisdiction over any unaffiliated Mason residing witnin its 
territorial jurisdiction, and original jurisdiction, over any E. A. made 
or F. C. passed therein, and over any of its members except its 
A* aster; and when charges are preferred in a Lodge, a Comm.ssion 
shall be be appointed by the presiding Master, consisting of not ^eaa 
than three nor more than live members of the said Lodge, to taisa 
testimony in the case and report the same to the Lodge for its judg- 
ment. The decision of the Lodge shall be final, unless an appear oa 
taken therefrom to the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge, m tlia 
same manner as provided in Section Sixty-eight. 

§ 72. The expenses which may be incurred by the Commissioners 
in conducting a Masonic trial shall be borne by one or both of the 



OF THE GEAND LODGE. . 37 

parties to the controversy, as may be determined by the Commis- 
sioners and set forth in their report, and payment of such expenses 
may be enforced in the same manner as Lodge or Grand Lodge dues, 
or by proper Masonic discipline. 

§ 73. Charges against the Master of a Lodge for official miscon- 
duct, while holding the office of Master, shall be presented to the 
Grand Master or the Grand Lodge only during the term of said 
Master, or within one year thereafter. 

§ 7-1. Charges preferred, which if proven would not constitute a 
"Masonic otteuce, may be and snouia oe dismisseu oy uie i^oaga or 
officer before which the same may have been preferred. 

§ 75. All trials of charges preferred and appeals taken in pursuance 
of the provisions of the Constitution and Statutes shall be conduct- 
ed, so far as the same may be applicable, in accordance with such 
rules and forms as may be adopted by the Grand Lodge. 

ARTICLE XXVII. 
Penalties and Restoration from. 
§ 76. The penalties which may be inflicted for a violation of 
Masonic law shall be : First, reprimand or censure ; Second, sus- 
pension from all the rights of Masonry, wihch shall be for a definite 
time ; and, Third, expulsion. 

§ 77. The Grand Lodge shall have power to restore an expelled 
Mason to the rights of Masonry after the expiration of one year 
from the date of the sentence. 

§ 78. A Lodge having expelled a member, may restore such ex- 
pelled Mason to the rights of Masonry at any time and by a majority 
vote, notice of a motion to do so having been made at a preceding 
stated Communication, and a Lodge may terminate a definite siif- 
oension at any time. Provided, however, that sue a. restoration shall 
uot be made when the Grand Lodge shall have affirmed ths cecisioc. 
on appeal. 




RULES OF ORDER 



I. —At the third stroke of the Grand Master's gavel, 
tiiere shall be a general silence, and he who breaks silence 
without leave from the Chair, shall be subject to a public 
reprimand. 
i 

II.— Under the same penalty, every Brother shall keep 
his seat, and observe strict silence whenever the Grand 
Master or presiding officer shall call to order. 

III. — No Brother is to speak more than once to the same 
question, unless by permission. 

IV.— If, in the Grand Lodge, any member is twice 
called to order, at one Communication, for transgressing 
these rules, and is guilty of the third offence of the same 
nature, the Chair may peremptorily order him to leave the 
Lodge-room for that day. 

V. — Whoever shall be so rude as to ridicule any Brother, 
or what another says, or has said, may be forthwith 
solemnly excluded the communication, and declared in- 
capable of ever being a member of any Grand Lodge for 
the future, unless he publicly own his fault, and he be 
excused. 

VI.— All motions are to be decided by a majority oi 



40 BULES OF OEDER. 

votes, each member having one vote, each Lodge having 
three votes, and such additional votes as the law pre- 
scribes, and the Grand Master two votes, in case that an 
equal number shall require his decision. 

VII. — The opinions or votes of the members may be 
signified by holding up of the left hand, unless some 
member shall call for a vote by Lodges, which shall be 
sustained by at least ten members. 

VIII. — All members shall keep their places, except the 
Grand Marshal and Grand Deacons, who are allowed to 
move from place to place, in the discharge of their duties. 

XI. — Every one who speaks shall rise, and remain stand- 
ing, addressing himself to the presiding officer ; and no 
member shall interrupt him unless to call him to order ; 
but after he has been set right, he may proceed, if he ob- 
serve due order and decorum. 

X. — In case of the absence of the Grand Wardens, when 
they, or either of them shall be entitled to take the Chair 
by succession, the Past Grand officer present, who is 
highest in rank, (if his office shall have been elective), shall 
take it ; and in case of the absence of both Present and 
Past Grand Officers, entitled to take the Chair, the Master 
of the Senior Subordinate Lodge present shall take it. 

XI. — Every proposition offered for consideration shall 
be in writing, if required by any member. 

XII. — At any Annual Communication of the Grand 
Lodge, the following Standing Committees shall be ap- 



EULES OF OKDEK. 4i 

pointed, to consist of three member > each, except as 
herein sta ed : 

1. A Committee on Credentials of M mbers and Ee- 
turns oi Lodges. 

2. Committee on the Condition i f Masonry within 

the jurisdict on, to consist of seven members. To 
this committee shall be referred all domestic cor- 
respondence requiring actio i, and questions rel- 
ative to the usages, privileges, and customs of 
thf Fraternity. 

3. A Committee on Foreign Correspondence. 

4. A Committee on Warranty to consist o nine 

in rubers, one from each Judicial District in the 
State except the First District fr >m which there 
shal be two. To this Committ e shall be referred 
all application for warrants, an . all cases of 
forfeit.d warrants. They shdl not ; ct u;>on any 
applications tor a warrant, unless it shall have 
been recommended by the nearest Lodge ;^or 
shall any warrant be revived which has teen for- 
feited pr ^ious to June, 1839 ; nor any other war- 
rant foifeited since that time, unless i be first 
surrendered. 

5. A Committee on Grievances. 

6. A Committee on Finance, who shall examine into 

and report upon all matters touching the finances 
of the Grand Lodge, and to whom s mil be re- 
ferred all subjects involving an appropriation of 
of its funds ; and without such reference, no such 
appropriation shall be made. 



4:2 EULES OF OEDEE. 

7. A Committee on Accounts of Represetative and 

the pay o Members. 

8. A Committee on the Constitution and By-Laws of 

Lodges. To this Committee shall be referred all 
propositions to amend the Constitution, General 
Regulations, and Rules of the Grand Lodge. 

9. A Committee on Charity, as proved by the Con- 

stitution. 

10. A Committee on Unfinished Business of the pre- 

vious Annual Communication. 

11. A Committee on Printing, and no resolution to 

print at the expense of the Grand Lodge shall 
be adopted, without the sanction of such Commit- 
tee, sta ing the number of copies to be printed. 

12. A Committee on Work and Lectures, to consists of 

nine members, one from each Judicial District in 
the States, except the First District, from which 
there shaL be two. To this Committee shall be 
referred the Report of the Grand Lecture, and 
all questions relative to the work and lectures of 
the Fraternity. 

13. A Committee on the Hall and Asylum, to consist oi 

nine (9) members, one from each Judicial Dis- 
trict, and one additional from the First Dis- 
trict. To this Committee shall be referred all 
matters relating to the Hall and Asylum Fund. 
14 A Committee of one from each Masonic District, 
before whom the Grand Lecturer shall exhibit 
the standard work and lectures of ihe Grand 
Lodge ; and the Committee to report thereon, 



BULES OF ORDER. £3 

XIII. — The Standing Committees shall not sit while the 
Grand Lodge is actually in session, unless on leave ob- 
tained, and shall all report at the same Communication 
at which they were appointed, and be discharged at the 
close thereof, unless otherwise ordered, except the Coni- 
miitees on Foreign Correspondence and Unfinished Bus- 
iness. 

XIV. — After the Grand Master has called the Grand 
Lodge to order at the opening thereof, on the first day of 
the Annual Communication, the following order of pro- 
ceedings and business shall be observed : 

1. Prayer by the Grand Chaplain. 

2. Calling the Eoll of Lodges by the Grand Secretary. 

3. The usual solemn ceremonies of 0£)ening the Grand 

Lodge in ample form. 

4. Reading and approving the minutes of any previous 

Communication not before read and approved. 

5. Address of the M. W. Grand Master, and action 

thereon. 

6. Report of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treas- 

urer, and action thereon. 
7. Miscellaneous Business. 

XV. — After tne first session of the Annual Communica- 
tion, the Grand Lodge shall assemble daily, at nine o'clock 
in the morning, and take a recess from one o'clock, P. M. 
until two o'clock, P. M., and again from six o'clock until 
the following morning at nine o'clock. 

XVI. — The order of business at each session, after the 
first day, shall be as follows, except the third, which shall 
not be observed after the second day. 



14 RULES OF OKDER. 

1. Reading and approving minutes of the preceding 

session. 

2. Reports upon Credentials of Members. 

3. Appointment of Standing Committees. 

4. Reports on Unfinished Business of the previous 

Communication. 

5. Presentation and reference, or other disposition of 

memorials, petitions, and communications. 

6. Motions and Resolutions, and reference or other 

disposition of the same. 

7. Reports of Standing Committees, and action there- 

on ; the Committees on Foreign Correspondence, 
and the Condition of Masonry having the pre- 
ference. 

8. Reports of Special Committees, and action thereon. 

9. Special orders (if any). 

10. Considerations of Amendments to Constitutions, 

General Regulations, and Rules (if any). 

11. Unfinished Business of previous session (if any). 

12. Miscellaneous Business, not included in the above ; 

including the lectures on three degrees in pres- 
ence of the Grand Lodge, once at each Communi- 
cation. (See subdivision 14 of Rule XII). 

XVII.— Should the Order of Business not be concluded 
at the session at which it is first called, it shall be com- 
menced at the succeeding session, where it was left off, and 
so on, throughout the Communication ; takino- up the 
Order of Business as in Rule 16 ; again, when once finished 



RULES OF ORDER. 45 

and going through with it in the ?ame manner ; — Provi- 
ded, nevertheless, that the reading and approving of the 
minutes shall be the first busine -s in order at each ses- 
sion ; and that the appointment of a time for, and the 
election and installation of officers, and the lectures, 
shall be in order at any time ditignated by the Grand 
Lodge. 

XVIII. — The Rules or Order shall not be supen ed at 
any time, except by unanimous consent. 

XIX. — These rules may be amended at any time, by a 
vote of two-thirds of tue Grand Lodge. 

XX. — All former Rules of Order ol the Grand Lodge, in- 
consistent herewith, are hereby abrogated. 



^ASONIC igODE OF gROCEDURE; 

IN THEEE PABTS, Viz: 

I. TRIALS; II. APPEALS; III. RESTORATION. 

[adapted to the use of lodges.] 



Pbepabed by JOHN L. LEWIS,P. G. M., and appeoved by the 
Gband Lodge of New Yoek, June, 1873. 



I. OF TRIALS. 

Section 1. A Masonic trial is the judicial examination 
of the issues arising on Complaints for offences before the 
Grand Lodge or mmissioners, whether they be issues 
of law or fact. 

§ 2. Mason : c offences which object the individual of- 
fender to trial and punishment, are of four kinds : 

1. Offences against Statutory law, being such as are 

called crimes, divided into felonies and misde- 
meanors. 

2. Offences at common law, not made crimes by any 

statue ; such as assault and lattery. 



GItAND LODGE. £7 

3. Offenses against the moral law, not punishable as 

crimes ; such as adultery and fraud : and 

4. Offenses against the Constitution and laws of Ma- 

sonry, written or unwritten. 

§ 3. The penalties which may be inflicted upon an in- 
dividual Mason, for an offense, are : 

1. Reprimand or censure ; 2. Suspension for a defi- 
nite time ; and, 3. Expulsion. 

§ 4. Masonic offenses may also be committed by a 
Lodge in the particulars defined by the Constitution, and 
not otherwise, and which are : 

1. Contumacy to the authority of the Grand Master 

or Grand Lodge. 

2. Departure from the Ancient Landmarks ; 

3. Disobedience to the Constitution, and laws of the 

jurisdiction ; and 

4. Neglecting to meet as a Lodge for one year or 

more. 

§ 5. Every individual Mason, and every Lodge accused 
of a Masonic offense, must be proceeded against by writ- 
ten charges called a Complaint, and notice thereof; and 
each is entitled to a speedy and impartial trial. 

§ 6. Any Mason in good standing may prefer a com- 
plaint to the proper authority against any other individ- 
ual Mason, or against a Lodge, and ma} T be a witness on 
the trial ; but it is recommended that when preferred in 
a Lodge against any one in its jurisdiction, it should be 
by the Junior Warden ; and in all cases after complaint 
m ide he should be the j)ersecutor. 



13 IIASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUItl]. 

§ 7. A complaint must be iu writing and contain an 
orderly statement of the facts constituting a Masonic of- 
fe se and should be brief but comprehensive, avoiding re- 
pel ition, and clearly defining the nature of the offense 
charged, with an accurate spec fication of the time, place 
and circumstances of its alleged commission. 

§ 8. A complaint preferred in a Lodge should be sub- 
stantially in the form designated as "Form No. 1." ; or 
as designated ns ' ' Form No. 2 " ; or as u Form No. 3 " as 
examples ; and which may readily be adapted to any 
other case of Masonic offense. 



Form IVo. 1. 

The Complaint. 

11 To the Master, Wardens and Brethern of Trilaminar 
Lodge, No. 800 : 

Charge. Brother A. B. is hereby charged with immoral 
and urmiasonic conduct : 

First Specification. That the said A. B., on the first day 
of April, 1859, in the public street at Freetown, in the 

county of ,and then being a member of said Lodge, 

was in a state of intoxication from the immoderate and 
improper use of intoxicating liquor, in violation of his 
duty as a Mason, and to the scandal and disgrace of the 
Fraternity. 

Second Specification. That the said A. B., on the first clay 
of April, 1859, at Freetown aforesaid, and at various other 
times and places in the year 1859, was intoxicated with 
strong and spirituous liquors, although admonished there- 



GBA.ND LODGE. 4.9 

for by the Master and. Wardens of this Lodge* in violation 
of his duty as a Mason, and to the great scandal and dis- 
grace of the Masonic Fraternity. 

And it is hereby demanded that the said A. B. be dealt 
with, therefor, according to Masonic law and usage. 

Dated April 9, 1859. S. L. Junior Warden." 



Form No. 3. 

The Complaint in another form. 

" To the Masters, Wardens and Brethern of Triluminar 
Lodge, Ko. 800 : 

Charge. Bro. C. D. is hereby charged with immoral 
and unmasonic conduct : 

First Specification. That the said C. D. on the first day 

of April, 1859, at Freetown in the county , and then 

being a member of said L^dge, in the presence and 1ft ar- 
iug of Bro. E. F. and others, spoke and declared of Bro. 
G. H. of Anchor Lodge, No. 801, these words in sub- 
stance : that the said G. H. was a dishonest man ; that he 
was a knave and a cheat ; and that he was a liar : to the 
great injury of the said G. II. and of the common scandal 
and disgrace of the Masonic Fraternity. 

Second Specification. That the said C. D. on the first 
day of April, 1859, at Freetown aforesaid, in the presence 
and hearing of Mr. Y. Z. and others, publicly spoke and 
declared of the said G. H., who was not present, that he, 
the said G. H , was a dishonest man. a knave, a cheat and 
a liar, in violation of the duties of the said C. D. , as a 
Master Mason, to the great injury of the said G. H., and 



50 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUEE. 

to the common scandal and disgrace of the said Anchor 
Lodge, No. 801, and of the Masonic Fraternity : 

And it is therefore hereby demanded that the said C. D. 
be put upon trial therefor. 

Dated April 9, 1859. S. L., Junior Warden." 

Form No. 3. 

The Complaint — Another Form. 

1 ' To the Master, Wardens and Brethren, of Triluminar 
Lodge, No. 800 : 

Charge. Bro. E. F., is hereby charged with unmasonic 
conduct : 

Specification. That heretofore said Triluminar Lodge 
adopted a Code of By-Laws, and amongst other things 
provided by Section 21 of said By-Laws, which has ever 
since been and is in full force, in substance and effect that 
said Lodge might tax its members for Masonic purposes ; 
that at a stated communication of said Lodge, he ] d on the 
24th day of December, 1858, said Lodge adopted a reso- 
lution to impose a tax upon each of its members of three 
dollars to replenish the Charity Fund of said Lodge ; that 
on said last mentioned day said E. F. was a member of 
said Lodge and had subscribed to said By-Laws, and is 
still a member of said Lodge, but that the said E. F., 
although of sufficient pecuniary means and ability, refused 
to pay said tax of three dollars, and still refuses to pay 
the same, contrary to the provisions of said Section 21 
of said By-Laws, to the injury of said Lod^e, and in vio- 
lation of his duties and obligations as a Master LliL&o^ : 



GRAND LODGE. 51 

and it is therefore hereby demanded that the said E. F. 
be pat upon his trial therefore. 

Dated April 9, 1869. S. L., Junior Warden. 



§ 9. The proceedings en a complaint to a Lodge under 
" Form No. 1." (selected as an example) are contained 
in the pi eceding Section 8, and in the Sections following 
to and including Section 20. 

§ 10. The complaint must be presented in open Lodge 
at a Stated Communication, and a motion should be made 
and adopted that the complaint be received and Commis- 
sioners appointed before farther proceedings can be 
had. 

§ 11. The complaint need not be copied in the minutes 
bat its nature saall be entered with the fact of its recep- 
tion and reference, and the names of the Commissioners 
appointed by the master. 

§ 12. When such a motion of reception and reference 
has been adopted, the Master should forthwith appoint 
three capable and disinterested members of the Lodge as 
Commissioners. If a bio. her appointed as Commissioner 
shall know of any cause which would disqualify him from 
acting, it is his duty to state it either in open Lodge or 
privately to the Master, in order that another may be forth- 
with substituted. 

§ 13. (Stricken out, 1874.) 

§ 14. It is the duty of the Secretary of the Lodge immedi- 
ately to serve upon the accused a copy of the complaint 
with a notice annexed, except in cases mentioned in Suc- 
tion 17. 



52 MASONIC CODE OF PKOCEDURE. 

§ 15. The notice annexed to the complaint may be in 
the following form : 

Form No. 4. 

Notice of Complaint 
"Bro. A. B. : — Take notice that the within (or foregoing) 
is% copy of the complaint preferred against yon at a Stated 
Communication of Trilaminar Lodge, No, 800, held on the 
9th of April, inst. ; and that Bros. R. S. , T. U. , and V. W. 
were ax^pointed Commissioners to hear and try the same. 

Dated April 10, 1859. P. Q., Secretary. 

§ 16. Commissioners shonld determine if possible a 
the time the complaint is preferred, when and where they 
will meet for trial, and inform the Secretary thereof, in 
which case he will add to the above notice the following : 
" and that they will meet for tfie purpose on the 20th day, 
of April, 1859, at seven o'clock, p.m., at Triluminar Lodge 
Boom in Freetown, at or before which time you are re- 
quired to answer said complaint. " 

§ 17. If from any cause the complaint cannot be person- 
ally served, then a notice of its presentation, and the na- 
ture of the charges it contains should be sent to accused 
by mail, or other safe conveyance, if his residence be 
known ; if the residence be not known, then after a rea- 
sonable time and after diligent inquiry, the Secretary 
should leave such notice at the last place of residence, or 
place of business of the accused, with information that a 
copy of the complaint will be furnished when demanded 
by the accused. 



GRAND LODGE. 53 

§ 18. The notice in the case mentioned in Section 17, 
maybe in the following form : 

Form No. 5. 

Notice to Absent Defendant. 

4< Bro. A. B.: — Take notice that at a Stated Communi- 
cation of Triluminar Lodge, No. 800, held in Freetown, 
on the 9th day of April, 1859, charges of unmasonic con- 
duct were preferred against you ; that Bros. E. S., T. U., 
and V. W., were appointed Commissioners to hear and try 
the same ; that a copy of the complaint will be furnished 
you on demand, and you are required to answer said com- 
plaint within days thereafter, and serve your answer 

'upon me. 

Dated April IGtb, 1873. P. Q., Secretary. 

§ 19. After service of the complaint, if the accuser of 
the accused has an objection to the Commissioners, or any 
of them, he should as soon as possible make bis challen- 
ges, that the Master, if satisfied that the challenge is made 
upon good ground*, may make another appointment, and 
it should state specifically the grounds on which it is made. 
Challenges may, however, be made to Commissioners at 
any time, before the trial commences. 

§ 20. If there be doubts whether the grounds of the 
challenge are sufficient, the Master shall be the trier, when 
all or two of the Commissioners are challenged ; or when 
but one is challenged the other Commissioners may act 
as triers ; but it is recommended that if there be reason- 
able objection, or if probable cause for challenge be mani- 



54 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDURE. 

fest, that the challenged Commissioners remove all ob- 
jection by resignation, in which case the Master will ap- 
point another, and if made at any other time than at a 
Communication of the Lodge, that he supply the vacancy 
by appointment in writing, to be tiled with the Secretary, 
who shall present the same to the Lodge when next con- 
vened. 

§ 21. The appointment of Commissioners being com- 
pleted, it is next the duty of the accused to answer the 
complaint. As this must be in most cases, if not all, 
equivalent to the well-known plea of " Not guilty," the 
form is immaterial, but to complete the record it may be 
in the following form : 

Form No. 6. 

The Answer. 
"C. D. in person, denies the complaint made against 
him, and every matter and thing contained in the charges 
and several specifications of the same as therein stated and 
set forth, and demands trial thereon. C. D." 

§ 22. The answer, however, may vary according to the 
facts of each case ; as for example one specification may 
be admitted and another denied ; or the charges and 
specifications may be admitted and matters set forth in 
excuse or extenuation of any or all of the specifications ; 
or the charges and specifications may be admitted with a 
denial that they constitute Masonic offence, (the last 
beng what is called a demurrer), but which to avoid tech- 
nicality will be termed a special answer. 



OF. AND LODGE. 55 

§ 23. The special answer to the complaint may be in 
the following form : 



Form No. 7, 

The Special Answer, 

" C. D. in person, answers the complaint made ago Inst 
him, and without denying the charges or specifications 
therein, says, that the statements in said complaint do 
not present sufficient facts to constitute a Masonic offence, 
because he says that it is contrary to the principles of 
Masonic law for a Lodge to tax its members," [or whatever 
else may be the grounds of the special answer.] 

§ 24. The answer whether general or special being 
made, the issue is formed and the parties proceed to 
trial, at the time and place appointed by the Com- 
missioners, of which the accused should always have 
reasonable notice in writing. 

§ 25. If a special answer be made and the decision be 
against the accused, he will stiil be permitted to put in 
an answer denying or excusing the charges in the manner 
above stated, and hence it is best not to interpose a special 
answer, as the accused may always have the benefit of 
any question of Masonic law under a general answer. 

§ 26. The attendance of witnesses on either side, when 
they are Masons, may be enforced by summons, which 
may be issued by any Master of a Lodge, and may be in 
the following form : 



56 MASONIC CODE OE PROCEDURE. 

Form No. 8. 

The Summons for Witness. 

" To Bro. I. J. : — You are hereby summoned and re- 
quired to attend as a witness before the Commissioners 
appointed for the trial of Bro. A. B., on certain charges 
preferred against him on the 20th day of April, 1859, at 
7 o'clock, p. m., at the Lodge-room of Triluminar Lodge, 
No. 800, in Freetown : and there to testify the truth 
according to your knowledge on hehalf of [naming the 
party summoning him]. 

Dated April 16, 1859. K. L. Master of Star Lodge, No. 900/ ' 



§ 27. The summons may be made to answer for several 
witnesses by inserting their several names and aclding the 
words " and each of you" after the word "you" ; taking 
care to leave a blank after the first name for the insertion 
of other names. The attendance of witnesses other than 
Masons must necessarily be voluntary only. 

§ 28. The brother disobeying such summons is liable 
to discipline in the same manner as for disobedience to 
any other summons ; and for this reason, the one serving 
it should note upon it when and how it was served, 
whether personally or otherwise. 

§ 29. The complaint for disobeying a summons may be 
in the following form : 



GRAND LODGE. 57 

Form JVo. 9. 

Complaint for Disobeying Summons. 
if To the Master and Wardens of Trilaminar Lodge No. 800: 

Charge. Bro. I.J. is hereby charged with unmasonic 
conduct. 

Specification. That the said I. J., having taken the solemn 
obligations of a Master Mason, and being a member of 
said Triluininar Lodge, No. 800, in good standing, was, 
on the 16th day of April, 1859, personally served with a 
summons to attend as a witness before the Commissioners 
appointed for the trial of Bro. A. B., on certain charges 
against the said A. B., on the 20th day of April, 1859, at 
seven o'clock, p. m., at the Lodgt-room of said Triluminar 
Lodge, No. 800, in Freetown, there to testify the truth 
according to his knowledge, on behulf of said Triluminar 
Lodge, which summons was issued by K. S,, Master of 
Star Lodge, No. 9G0 ; and that the said I. J. , wholly dis- 
regarding said summons and bis solemn obligations as a 
Master Mason to obey the same, and did not attend at 
the time and place specified in said summons, but wholly 
neglected and refused so to do, to the great injury of said 
Triluminar Lodge, and to the evil example of the whole 
Masonic Fraternity : 

Wherefore, it is demanded that the said I. J., be brought 
to], trial and punishment therefor. 

Dated April 21, 1859. S. L., Junior Warden." 

This form, with the necessary alterations, may be 
adapted to any case of wilful disregard of any lawful 
summons of a Brother Master Mason, or of a lawful Lodge 
of Master Masons. 



58 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUr k E. 

§ 30. Testimony may be taken by Commission (as 
limited in Section 38 following) when the witness to be 
examined resides at such distance as may be inconvenient 
for him to attend, of which fact the Commissioners 
appointed for the trial shall be the judges, and the attend- 
ance of such witnesses to testify may (if he be a Mason) be 
compelled by sumiijons, as prescribed in Sections 26 and 
27 preceding. 

§ 31. Reasonable notice of intention to apply for a 
Commission must be given by the applicant therefor, and 
may be in this form : 

Form No. 10. 

Notice of Commission, 

" To S. L., Junior Warden : — Take notice that I shall 
apply to the Commissioners appointed for the trial of the 
charges against me at Triluminar Lodge-room, in Free- 
town, on the 20th day of April 1859, at 7 o'clock, p. m., for 
a Commission to examine W. Bro. H. J., Master of Hearty 
Lodge, No. 777, to examine X.Y.,as a witness on my 
behalf, on interrogatories. 

Dated April 16th, 1859. A. B." 

§ 32. If the Commissioners at the time of hearing, on 
this notice decide to issue the Commission, it should be 
issued to the Master or a Warden of the nearest or most 
convenient Lodge to the witness, (unless there be reason- 
able objection to such Master or Warden), to act as 
Examiner ; and it may be in the following form : 



GRAND LODGE. 59 

Form ?Vo. 11, 

Commission for Witness. 
" To W. Bro: H. J;, Master of Hearty Lodge, No, 777. 

You are hereby appointed Examiner to take the testi- 
mony of Bro. F. F., of Noblesburg, in your county, as a 
witness in the matter of the charges preferred in Tri- 
luminar Lodge, No. 800, against Bro. A. B., of said 
Lodge, at such early time and convenient place as you 
may appoint, upon the interrogatories and cross-inter 
rogatories hereto annexed, and reduce his answers thereto 
to writing, to be subscribed by him, and by you certified 
to us. and returned forthwith by mail to the Secretary of 
said Triluminar Lodge, acting in the premises with all 
convenient speed. 

Dated Freetown, April 20th, 1859. R. S. ) 
[seal or triluminar lodge.] T. U. J- Commissioners." 
Attest: P. Q., Secretary. V. W. ) 

§ 33. At the time of hearing on the application for Com- 
mission, or at such other time as shall be agreed upon or 
appointed, the parties shall prepare, and the Com- 
missioners (or one of their number designated by them) 
shall settle their respected interrogatories or cross-inter- 
rogatories. 

§ 34. The interrogatories (or questions) may be in the 
following form 

Form IVo. 12, 

Interrogatories. 
" Interrogatories to be proposed to F. F., a witness to 
be examined on Commission annexed : 



60 MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDUEE. 

First Interrogatory. What is your age, occupation and 
residence? 

Second Interrogatory. Are yon acquainted with A. B. 
named in the annexed Commission? and if so, for how 
long a time ? 

Third Interrogatory . Were you at Freetown on the first 
day of April, 1859 ? and if so, did you see A. B. there? 

Fourth Interrogatory. What was the state of his health at 
that time? and if not good, state what was bis disease? 
how it affected his actions ? 

[And so on, numbering each separate interrogatory or 
question by itself.] 

Lastly. Do you know any other matter or thing bene- 
ficial to the said A. B. in this matter ? if so, state it 
fully. A. B," 

§ 35. The interrogatory commencing "lastly" must 
always be inserted and always answered. If the witness 
has anything additional to state, it should be added ; if he 
has not, it should be so stated. 

§ 36. The cross-interrogatories may be in the following 
form : 

Form No, 13. 

Cross -Interrogatories. 

"Cross-interrogatories to be proposed to F. F., a wit- 
ness to be examined on Commission answered : 

First Interrogatory. Do you know what caused the ill- 
health of A. B. ? if so state fully the fact and the cause. 



GBAND LODGE. 61 

[Then proceed with others, nmnber'ng them in like 
manner, and concluding with " lastly," asid observing the 
same rules as in case ot interrogatories.] 

S. L., Junior Warden" 

§ 37. The Comnrssion, copy of complaint, inter- 
rogatories and cross-interrogatories, will then be fastened 
together aud sent to the Examiner. 

§ 38. The Examiner having procured the attendance of 
the witness at 'he time and place appointed, will take his 
testimony in the same manner as on trial, and put it in 
writing, and may commence in this form: 

Form !Vo. 14:. 

Deposition. 

"Examination of F. F., a witness produced before me 
in the matter of the annexed charges against A. B., taken 
at Noblesburg on the 27th day of April, 1859, and who 
testified as a Master Mason [or who stated, see § 49, subd. 
4] as follows : 

To the first interrogatory the said F. E. says : My age 
is 35. I am a farmer, and reside at Noblesburg. 

To the second interrogatory he says : I know A. B. , and 
have been acquainted with him for over ten years. [And 
so on, giving the answers in full to each interrogatory.] 

Lfr^tly. The said F. F. says in answer thereto: I do not. 
» To the first cross-interrogatory the said F. F. says : 

And proceed as on the interrogatories, adding a reply to 
« Lastly. " F. E." 



62 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUEE. 

§ 39. The answers to the several interrogatories and 
cross-interrogatories being written, the witness will sub- 
scribe the same, and the Examiner will then certify as 
follows : 

Form No. 15, 

Certificate to Interrogatories. 

"I certify that the foregoing is a copy of all the testi- 
mony of F. F., a witness examined before me by virtue of 
the annexed Commission, at the time and place therein 
specified. 

Dated Noblesburg, April 27, 1859. H. J., Examiner. 

§ 40. It will be most convenient, and it is recommended 
to be observed in practice, that the parties should agree as 
to the issuing of the Commission, and to whom, and also 
agree upon the interrogatories and cross-interrogatories, 
and enter into a stipulation, which may be in this form : 

Form No. 16« 

Stipulation for Commission. 

"We do hereby stipulate and agree to the issuing of the 
annexed commission, and to the examination of F. F., the 
witness therein named, by virtue thereof, in answer to the 
interrogatories and cross-interrogatories annexed, agreed 
to by us. S. L., Junior Warden. 

Dated April 16, 1859. A. B." 

§ 41. No Commission shall issue to take testimony in 
behalf of the complainant, to be used on a trial on charges, 



Gil AND LODGE. C3 

without the consent in writing of the accused; and in. such 
case, if they agree upon the issuing of a Commission, the 
signing of a stipulation like that mentioned in Section 40 
shall be regarded as such consent in writing. 

§ 42. "When testimony is taken on behalf of the com- 
plainant by Commission, with the written consent of the 
accused, it will be conducted by the same rules as on be- 
half of the accused herein before stated. 

§ 43. When the Commissioners meet to proceed with 
the trial, they should organize by appointing one of their 
number to preside as Chairman, unless the Master be a 
Commissioner. Should they fail to do so, the Commis- 
sioner first named will preside. They should also choose 
one of their number to act as Clerk, and keep the minutes 
of their preceedings and of the testimony. They should 
be furnished by the Secretary of the Lodge with a certifi- 
cate of their appointment, and the resolution under which 
it was made. 

§ 44. The Commissioners being duly organized, and 
the accused having answered the complaint, are prepared 
to hear and receive the evidence in the case. 

§ 45. Evidence is the means by which any alleged mat- 
ter of fact, the truth of which is submitted to investigation 
is established or disproved, and the rules of evidence, 
including those which relate to the admissibilit}* of tes- 
timony and the competency of witnesses to be observed by 
Commissioners, are such as have been established and are 
recognized in courts of law in the ordinary administration 
of justice, and cannot be set forth in detail here. 



Ci MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

§ 46. There are certain great principles of evidence, 
however, which may be briefly stated, and which if prop- 
erly regarded will be sufficient guides in Masonic trails, 
and which are: 

1. That each party to a trial is bound to produce the 

best and highest evidence in his power to estab- 
lish or disprove any alleged matter of fact. 

2. That to establish or disprove any alleged matter of 

fact, the matter to which a witness testifies must 
be within his actual personal knowledge ; and 
that the substance of the issue must be proved 
by the facts so testified, or such a series of facts 
(coitmoii y called ( ircumstantia? evidence) as 
combined, will L< ad to an ir esistible conclusion, 
establishing or disproving an alleged matter of 
f c . 

3. That the burden cf proof always rests w r ith the 

party holding the affirmative, and hence, in a 
M sonic trial, lies upon the conrplainant first; 
and in a iike manner, when a defence is based 
upon substantive matters of fa t, th ■ burden of 
proof lies upon the accused; * nd, therefore, when 
the testimony in a case is balanced the party hold- 
ing the affirmative cannof fail. 

4. That every material allegation in a complaint must 

be proved, and subslantiall - as ai i: but need 
not precisely conform to the charge in matters of 
time and place, unless time and pi ice are them- 
selves necessary to constitute an offense or to 
c nfer jurisdiction. | 



GRAND LODGE. C5 

5. That hearsay evidence is inadmissible, except to 

prove general reputation, which en only be 
known by the common speech of others ; and 
that in eliciting iacts from a witness, leading 
questions (that is, those requir ng a simple af- 
iirma ion or nagative answer) are not permitted, 

6. That confessions and admissions a .e to be re eived 

with great cauti n, ard that no conviction < an 
follow snch proof, without mrther proof th it the 
offense charged has been committed ; but this 
does not apply when a plea of g ilty is made to 
the c mpla nt — for that admits the comm ssion of 
of the offense itself, anj its commission by the 
accused. 

7. Tn at there are certain tilings of which Commis- 

sioner, may judicially ake notice \\ ithout proof, 
such as facts in h story, or geography, or any 
science, and he operations of the laws of nature. 

8. That b t on wi ness is neccesary to establish a 

fact or series of facts within his knowbedge, ex- 
cept when the rules of crimirul law require an 
additional witness. 
£. Tha: no witness is to be excluded on the ground 
of religious belief, or of interest; and that the 
accused is a competent witness in his own behalf. 

§ 47. When a person accused of an offense Masonically, 
has been convicted of it upon trial in a court o. law, or 
when it has been ju icially es ablished in a civ 1 ac ion 
it is unnecessary ;o repeat the evid nee in a M isonie trial, 
but th; record o such court, with proof of identity of the 



GQ MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

accused, !*hal ! . be sufficient to justify a conviction by 
Commissioners, unless an appeal shall h ive been taken 
fiom the judgment of such court. 

§ 48. The minutes cf proceedings of the Commission- 
ers may be in the following form* 

Form No, 17 

Minutes of Commission. 

"The Commissioners appointed for the trial of Bro. A. 
B., on the complaint and answer hereto annexed (in rked 
A), pursuant to the following resolati n [copy res ration], 
assembled at the Lodge-room of Triluminar Lodge No. 
800, in Freetown, on Wednesday evening, the 20th day of 
A.pril, 1859. 

Present: K. S., T. U. and V. \V\, Commissioners. 

R. S. was chosen Chairman, T. U., Clerk, and V. 
W., Marshal." 

"A. B. ; the accuse , ap ea ed before us, an i objected 
to T. XL, one of ihe Commssioners, on the ground that 
tie was present at the meeting of the Lodge when the 
charges were preferred, and voted for their reference. 

Bro. T. U. stated that he had formed no opinion on the 
subject; and the other Commissi ners decided that he was 
competent to act as Commissioner, to which Bro. B. took 
an exception. 

The complaint was then read by Bro. S. L., Junior War- 
den, together with the answer of Bro. A. B. 

Bro. B. then requested that P. S., an attorney-at-la'v, 
who is not a Mason, should examine the witnesses on his 
behalf, and assist him in his defence. The CommissioiuKs 
decided against the request, to which Bro. B. took an ex- 



GEAND LOEGE. 



67 



coption. The Commissioners further stated that B:o. B 
wight engage the services of any Brother Mason to assist 
in his defence, and he therefore employed Bro. N. 0., to 
assist him as Counsel. 

Bro. O. objected to the complaint as being vague and 
uncertain, but the Commissioners decided it to be sufficient; 
to which Bro. O. took an exception. 

Bro. E. F. was then introduced as a witness by the Jun- 
ior Warden, and testified as a Master Mason as follows : 
I am acquainted with Bro. A. B. ; I saw him on Main 
street, in Freetown, on the first day of April last ; I was 
on the opposite side of the street ; he appeared to be in- 
toxicated ; [an objection was here made to the testimony 
as to the appearance of the accused, but it was overruled 
and an exception taken] he was there for about half an 
hour; he reeled as he walked ; etc. 

On cross-examination, Bro. E. F., further testified : I 
know that Bro. B. had been sick ; etc. 

The Commissioners then adjourned to meet at the same 
place on Thursday evening, the 21st April, 1859, at seven 
o'clock p.m. 

Thursday Evening, April 21, 1859. 

The Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment : 

Present : All the Commissioners ; and also, Bro. L. the 
Junior Warden, and Bro. A. B. and his counsel, Bro. 0. ; 
Bro. U. officiated as Chairman. 

Mr. H. C. was then introduced as a witness by the Jun- 
ior Warden, and stated as follows : I was in Freetown on 
the first day of April, inst., A. B. was th^re ; etc. 

The proofs on the part of the complain ant heie rested. 

Bro. O., on behalf of Bro. A. B. then produced the 



68 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEEUEE. 

sworn affidavit of Mr. J. R., and offered it in evidence, to 
which the Junior Warden objected on the ground that Mr. 
R. should be produced for cross-examination. 

The Commissioners sustained the objection on that 
ground and Bro. O. excepted. 

Mr. R>. was then introduced, and the Junior Warden 
then consented that his affidavit might be read, and which 
was then read accordingly, and is hereto annexed (marked. 
B.) 

The Junior Warden then cross-examined Mr. B., who 
stated as follows : etc. 

The testimony of F. F. , a witness examined by Commis- 
sion on the part of the accused, was then read in evidence 
and is hereto annexed (marked C.) 

The proofs being closed, after hearing both parties, the 
Commissioners decided to meet again on the 23d day ot 
April, instant, to determine on their report. 

Saturday, April 23, 1839. 
The Commission again met by themselves, and after 
consultation, decided upon their report, a copy of which 
is hereto annexed (marked D,) and notified the parties 
thereof. 

(Signed by the Commissioners. '') 

§ 49. In masonic trials and proceedings thereupon, the 
following rules, indicated in the form of minutes given in 
Section 48, should be observed : 

1. The statement of objections with the grounds d 
them, and the decision of the Commissioners 
thereon should be stated. 



GRAND LODGE C9 

2. On the trial the Junior Warden should properly 

act as the prosecutor, but another brother may 
be employed. 

3. The respective parties may have counsel, but no 

attorney or counsel not being a Mason, shall be 
permitted to act in a Masonic trial. 

4. Witnesses who are Masons testify by virtue of 

their obligations as such ; other witnesses make 
their statements without reference to any oath or 
obligation, their credibility depending upon their 
general character, which may be impeached by 
testimony, and so may that of other witnesses. 
6. No testimony shall be taken or received upon any 
trial, when the accused appears in person or by 
counsel atthe trial, except in the presence of the 
accused or his counsel, and an opportunity given 
to them for cross-examination, and when taken 
down must be as nearly as possible in the words 
of the witness, and as if speaking in the first per- 
son. 

6. Every proceeding unon trial, including the time 

and place of adjournment, should be carefully 
noted in the minutes. 

7. No person shall bepermitted to be present at a Ma- 

sonic trial but Master Masons, except a witness, 
and he only while testify ng. 

8. A masonic trial should be conducted in all res- 

pects as near as may be like the trial of an action 
of a criminal nature in a court of record, and be 
governed by the same general rules. 



70 MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

9, When, a trial is concluded, the Commissioners 
shall deliberate by themselves, without other per- 
sons being present till their decision be made, 
which should be as speedily as possible, and of 
which notice in writing should be given to the 
respective parties. 

§ 50. The notice of decision may be in the following 
form : 

Form No. 18. 

Notice of Decision, 

"To Bro. S. L., Junior Warden, and Bro. A. B. : 

You will each take notice that we have agreed upon and 
signed our report in the matter of charges against Bro. A. 
B., referred to us by which we have found the charges 
sustained, and Bro. A. B. guilty thereof, and that the ex- 
penses of the procedings be paid by him : and that we 
shall present the report to Triluminar Lodge at its Stated 
Communicatian on the 30th April, instant. 

Dated April 23, 1859. (Signed by the Commissioners.") 

§ 51. The decision having been agreed upon, the Com- 
missioners will draw up their report thereof lor the action 
of the Lodge. It need not, in the first place, state any- 
thing but the facts found and the conclusions thereon of 
the Commissioners. These conclusions, like those of 
other committees, should be in the form of resolution-, 
for the definite action of the Lodge. 

§ 52. On the presentation of the report, if the Lodge 
desire to have the minutes of the proceedings read, includ- 



GBAND LODGE. 71 

mg the testimony, the Commissioners must comply by 
reading the same, embracing them in a supplementary 
report. 

§ 53. The report should be full and may be in the fol- 
lowing form : 

Form No. 19. 

Report of Commissioners. 

"To the Master, Warden and Brethren of Triluminar 
fedge, dSo. 80Os 

Tiie Commissioners appointed for the trial of Bro. A. B. 
on charges uf intoxication, heretofore preferred in thi- 
Lodge, respectfully report : 

Th.'\t they met at the Lodge-room of this Lodge on 
Wednesday evening, the 20th of Apri-, last past, and Bro. 

A. B. having answered the complaint against him by 
general denial, and the Commissioners having duly organ- 
ized they proceeded to hear and try the m.itters referred 
to them. 

Tnat objections were made to Bro. U., one of their num- 
ber, which they overruled, and also refused'to permit Bro. 

B. to appear by counsel who was not a Mason, and there- 
f >re Bro. N. O. appe ired for him. That objection was 
made to the sufficiency of the complaint and overruled. 

That t-iey proceeded to take testimony [in the cour-e of 
which they decided not to admit a sworn affidavit, unless 
the deponent was present to be cross-examined], and Bro. 
E. F., and Mr. H. C. and Mr. J. P. were examined as 
witnesses ; and the testimony of Bro. F. F. , taken by Com- 
mission, was produced and read. 



72 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDTJEE. 

Tha* they held three meetings, the last of which was for 
+ hcj purpose of agreeing upon and preparing t^ia report. 

Th it from the testimony before them the} 7 find the 
following facts : 

1. That Bro. A. B. was intoxicated with strong and 
spiritous liquors, in a public place in Freetown, on the 
first day of April 1859. 

2. That Bro. A. B hns been at lenst twice intoxicated in a 
public place in Freetown aforesaid, within two weeks 
previous + o the said first day of April, 1859. 

They therefore recommend the adoption of the following 
resolu'ions : 

Resolved, That the charges of intoxication against Bro. 
A. B., made and presented to this Lodge on the 9th day 
of April, 1859, on complaint of the Junior Warden, are 
sustained, and that he is guilty of the said charges. 

Resolved, That Bro. A. B. be and he is hereby suspended 
irom this Lodge, and from the rights and privileges of 
Masonry, for the space of three months from this date. 

Resolved, That the charges and expenses of the Com- 
missioners, amounting to the sum of three dollars, are 
adjudged to be paid by said Bro. A. B. 

And that they have notified the Junior Warden and Bro. 
A. B. of their decision, as expressed in the foregoing 
resolutions. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

K. 8.) 
Dated, April 23, 1859. T. U. > Commissioners." 

V. W. 



GEAXD LODGE. 73 

§ 54. If the report of the Commissioners be not unani- 
mous, the Commissioner may express his dissent therefrcm 
at the end of the report of the majority, (and which is 
recommended instead of making a separate minority 
report), in the following form : 

Form No, 20. 

Dissent from Commissioner's Report. 

" I dissent from the report of the other Commissioners 
in this case of Brother A. B. , both in their findings of 
fact and their conclusions therefrom, as expressed in the 
resolutions contained in their report. 

Dated, April 23, 1859. V. W., Commissioner." 

§ 55. The report of the Commissioners having been 
made to the Lodge, some brother should move for the 
adoption of the resolutions, and no motion for its accept- 
ance is necessary, as a report is always accepted unless 
objection be expressly made ; but if a supplementary 
report is required, that should first be moved ; but if the 
Commissioner dissents from the report in part only, it moy 
be expressed in this form: 

" I dissent from so much cf this report as finds that Bro. 
A. B.^has been at least twice intoxicated in a public place 
in Freetown aforesaid, within two weeks previous to the 
first day of April, 1859 ; and from so much of the seconc 
resolution annexed thereto as fixes the term of his suspen- 
sion at three months. 

Dated, April 23, 1869. V. W., Commissioner." 



74 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUEE. 

§ 56. If the resolutions annexed to the report of the 
Commissioners are adopted by the Lodge, th^n it stands 
as the judgment in the case until properly reversed. 

§ 57. The Lodge may, by resolution, reverse the 
decision of the Commissioner, in every particular, except 
as herein stated ; or it may modify or change it by in- 
creasing or diminishing the penalty ; but it may not reverse 
or modify the decision as to expenses ; which can only be 
reversed, modified or changed on appeal. 

§ 58. A majority vote of the lodge is sufficient to adopt 
or reject the decision of the Commissioners as to the guilt 
of the accused, or to approve or modify the penalty. 

§ 59. If the accused be absent from the Lodge, it shall 
be the duty of the Secretary forthwith to transmit a copy 
of the resolutions adopted by the Lodge in his case, with 
a notice, which may be in the following iorm : 

Form No. 31. 

Koiice of Judgment. 

"ToBro. A. B. ; 

Take notice, that the foregoing is a copy of resolutions 
adopted by Triluminar Lodge, No. 800, at their Com- 
munication held in their Lodge-room in Freetown, on the 
30 th day of April, instant. 

Dated, April 30, 1859. P. Q., Secretary. 

§ 60. Proceedings in case of an unaffiliated Mason ; 
complaints against a Lodge ; or complaints against a Mas- 



GRAXD LODGli^ 75 

ter ; or by one Lrdge against another Lodge ; or Rgainst 

a member of another Lodge — will be conducted in like 
manner, conforming to tribunals, circumstances, and 
persons charged, to be preferred to officers or bo y, and 
* to be acted upon by Commissioners in like manner. Such 
complaints should be distinctly addressed to the officer or 
body who is to act thereon — should be definite and specific 
in their nature, conforming to constitutional or legal 
provisions, and are to be acted upon by Commisbioners 
appointed by such officer or body. 

§ 61. Commissioners appointed in the cases referred to 
in Section 60 will prescribe the penalty, as in case of Com- 
missioners appointed by the Master of a Lodge, and the 
decision of such Commissioners is final, unless an appeal 
be taken therefrom. 

§ 62. The report of the Commissioners mentioned in 
Section 60 must be made to the officer or body appointing 
fchem, and notice thereof will be given to the parties by 
the C mmissioners, adapting such notice to Form No. 20. 
The rep rt of such Commissioners need not conclude with 
resolutions, but should contain a findiug of the facts and 
the conclusions therefrom in an award of judgment in the 
nature of both a verdict and sentence. The report of such 
Commissioners and their notice of judgment may be in 
the form following : 

Form PJo. 22. 

Report of Commissioners not appointed by a Master. 
" To M. W. J. S. Grand Master [or B. W. B. E. D. D. C. 
M., as the case may be] : 



76 MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUEE. 

The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by you in 
the case of Bro. A. B., of Triluminar Lodge No. 800, in 
the matter of charges of intoxication preferred against 
him by Bro. C. D., of Anchor Lod^'e, No. 801, on the 9th 
day of April, 1859, having heard the same upon the said 
charges and the answer thereto, and the proofs and alle- 
gations of the parties, do respectfully report : 

That they have adjudged and determined as follows : 

1. That said charges are sustained, and that Bro. A. 

B. is guilty of the said charges. 

2. That the said Bro. A. B. be and he is hereby sus- 

pended from said Triluminar Lodge and from 
the right and privileges of Masonry for the space 
of three months. 

3. That the said Bro. A. B. do pay the costs and ex- 

penses of the proceedings on this trial, amount- 
ing to the sum of thirty dollars. 
And they further report that a duplicate hereof has been 
duly filed with the Gr. Secretary. All of wh.ch is re- 
spectfully submitted. 

Dated April 23d, 1859. [Signed by the Commissioners]. 

§ 63. The notice of judgment given by said Commis- 
sioners may be in the following form : 

Form No. 23. 

Notice of Judgment by Commissioners. 

"To Bro. C. D. and Bro. A. B.: 

Take notice, that we have this day made and signed our 
report to the M. W. Grand Master [or It. W. ^ 



GHAND LODGE 77 

D. D. G. M.] by which we have adjudged and determined 
thatBro.A. B. is guilty of the charges preferred against 
him by Bro. C. D. , and that he be suspended from Trilu- 
miuar Lodge No. 800, and from the rights and privileges 
of Masonry for the space of three months ; and that he do 
pay the costs and expenses of the proceedings on his trial 
before us, amounting to the sum of thirty dollars. 

Dated April 23, 1859. [Signed by the Commissioners.]" 

§ 64. Notices of judgment in the case mentioned in 
Section 59 and this section must be served in the same 
manner as the complaint, as the time for appeal com- 
mences to run from the time of such service. 

§ 65. When the accused fails to appear or answer, testi- 
mony must be taken in the same manner as if he ap- 
peared and defended, and with even more technical accu- 
racy, fullness and certainty ; and it is recommended and 
enjoined that, in such cases, some competent brother be 
designated and required to appear for the accused, and to 
take care that he have a fair and impartial trial. 

§ 66. The report upon a hearing and conclusions when 
a party fails to appear, may be in the following form : 

Form No. 24* 

Form of Report, when accused fails to appear. 

"To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Triluminar 
Lodge, No. 800 : 

The Commissioners appointed for the trial of Bro. A. B. 
on charges of intoxication heretofore preferred in this 
Lodge, and which are hereto annexed, respectfully report : 



78 MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

That they met at the Lodge-room of this Lodge on Wed- 
nesday evening, the 20th April, 1859, and all of their num- 
ber were present. That Bro. A. B. did not appear. That 
Bro. P. Q. ,tue Secretary of this Lodge, was then examined 
orally by them, and testified as a Muster Mason, that he 
served a copy of the complaint on said charges on Bro. A. 
B., personally, in Freetown, on the 6th day of April, 1850. 
That A. B., not appearing, after the lapse of more than 
one hour, and fearing there might be a misapprehension, 
they adjourned one week, to meet at said Lodge-room on 
the 27th day of April, 1859, at seven o'clock p.m., and re- 
quested the Secretary of the Lodge to notify Bro. A. B. of 
the adjournment. 

That they met at said Lodge-room on the day and hour 
of adjournment. That Bro. A. B. did not appear. That 
they then examined Bro. P. Q. , who testified as a Master 
Mason, that he informed Bro. A. B., on the morning of 
the 21st April, instant, of the adjournment, and particu- 
larly notified him of the place, day and hour. 

That after waiting more than one hour, they proceeded 
to hear proofs, and the Master having appointed Bro. D. 
C. to appear for Bro. A. B., he appeared accordingly, and 
heard the proofs and cross-examined the witnesses. That 
Bros. E. F., L. M., and 0. N. were examined as wit- 
nesses, and testified as Master Masons, and their testimony 
was taken in full, and appears in these minutes. And that 
having closed the testimony, they heard the argument 
of Bro. D. C. in behalf of the accused, and of the Junior 
Warden on the part of the Lodge. That without ad- 
journment they proceeded to consider the matter, and 
after consultation made a conclusion thereon. 



GRAND LODGE. 79 

That from the testimony before them they find the fol- 
lowing facts :" 

[Finding same as in Form No. 19 in § 53, and first two 
resolutions the same.] 

That there were no costs or expenses attending the trial 
and they make none for their attendance. And that they 
have notified the Junior "Warden and Bro. A. B. of the 
conclusions embraced in this report. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

B.S.I 

Dated April 27, 1859. T. U. [ Commissioners." 

V. W. J 

Notice of judgment to be given herein the same as in 
§ 63. 

§ 67. When a complaint is made and the charges therein 
are admitted or confessed, proof of such admission w T ill be 
sufficient to authorize Corniuissioners to makeup their 
minutes and report accordingly, in which case proof that a 
crime has been committed v/ill also be indispensably nec- 
essary. 

§ 68. It shall be deemed in all cases a disqualification 
for a Commissioner to act, that he is a witness to prove 
any fact which proves or disproves, or tends to prove or 
disprove the guilt or innocence of the accused. 



MASONIC CODE OP PEOCEDU.RE. 



PART n. 

Of Appeals. 

§ GO. A. Masonic appeal is a proceeding before the 
Grand Lodge, or a Graud Officer, by which the acts and 
decisions of a Lodge or Commissioners npon a trial, or upon 
a first appeal are reviewed, in order to arrest errors of law 
or fact alleged to have been made by a Lodge, Grand 
Officer, or Commissioners, from w T hose decisions and judg- 
ment the appeal is taken, so that justice may be done to 
all parties concerned ; and such appeal may be brought by 
any party alleging himself aggrieved thereby. 

§ 70. The constitution of the Grand Lodge provides 
that the appeals from the decision of a Lodge or Com- 
missioners may be made within six months ; but it is 
advisable that when a party is intending to appeal he 
should give notice of it, forthwith. 

§ 71. The first step taken may be either the appeal in 
form or simply notice thereof, but such notice must always 
be given before or after appeal, and may be in the follow- 
ing form : 

Form No. £5. 

Notice of Appeal. 

"ToP. Q. , Secretary of Triluminar Lodge, No. 800: 
Take notice, that I shall take an appeal to the Grand 



GBA.ND LODGE. 81 

Lodge of the State of New York [or the M. W. Grand 
Master, or R. W. Deputy Grand Master, or R. W. D. D. G. 

M. of the District, as the case may be, and as he may 

choose] from the action of said Trilaminar Lodge, on the 
30th day of April, 1859, in adopting the resolutions 
reported by the Commissoners in the matter of the com- 
plaint against me by the Junior Warden of said Lodge, 
and heard and tried by said Commissioners, and that I 
shall appeal on the grounds stated in my said appeal. i 

Dated, May 4, 1859. A. B." 

[If notice is given after appeal taken, it will be varied 
by stating " I have taken an appeal," &c, and " I have 
appealed on the grounds," &c] 

§ 72. On receiving notice of appeal, the Secretary of 
the Lodge or Grand Officer (as the case may be) will 
transmit to the officer or body to whom or which the 
appeal is taken, a copy of all papers in the case from the 
complaint to the notice of appeal, both inclusive, duly 
certified and attested. 

§ 73. When the appeal is brought it should contain 
minutely and in detail the grounds of appeal, and unless 
such grounds be specified, it shall not be regarded as an 
appeal. 

§ 74. The appeal may be in the following form : 

Form No. 26. 

The Appeal 
" To the Grand Lodge of the State of New York : [or M.W. 
Grand Master :] 



82 MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

The linde: igned hereby appeals to you from the decision 
of Trilaminar Lod;e, No. 800, made April 30tli, 1859, in 
adopting the resolutions reported by Commiss oners, 
declaring him guilty on complaint of intoxication, suspend- 
ing him for three months, and adjudging him to pay the 
expenses of the trial ; and he specifies the following as 
the grounds of his appeal: 

1. That T. U., onejof the Commissioness on his trial, was 
incompetent to act as such, having been present at the 
meeting of said Lodge when the complaint against him 
was preferred, and voted for its reference to Com- 
missioners. 

2. That the Commissioners erred in deciding that P. S., 
Esq., should not be allowed to assist him in his defence. 

3. That the second specification of the complaint is 
vague and uncertain. 

4. That the Commissioners erred in receiving testimony 
as to appearances of intoxication. 

5. That they erred in rejecting the sworn affidavit of 
J. E. 

6. That the proofs in the case were not sufficient to 
warrant their findings of fact. 

7. That the Lodge eried in passing the aforesaid resolu- 
tions by a majority vote. 

All of which appears by the papers, proceedings, and 
evidence in the case. 

Dated, May 11, 1859. A. B-" 

§ 75. A copy of the appeal should be served on the 
Secretary of the Lodge or Officer (as the case may be;, 



GEAND LODGE. 83 

and a copy also sent or delivered to the Grand Secretary, 
who shall forthwith notify the Lodge or other complainant 
thereof. 

§ 76. An answer to the appeal should be made within 
the time required by the Lodge or officer by whom the 
decision or judgment was pronounced, and unless 
answered within thirty days after notice thereof, the appeal 
may be regarded as admitted to be well taken. 

§ 77. The answer to the appeal may be in the following 
form : 

Form No. 27. 

Answer to Appeal 

" Triluminar Lodge, No. 800, answers the appeal of A. 
B., and says : 

That the said Lodge denies that there is any error in 
the proceedings of said Lodge, or of the Commissioners 
appointed for the trial of the ^aid A. B,, and further says 
that the decision of said Lodge in said case is sustained, 
both by Masonic law and the evidence therein applicable 
thereto . 

Dated, May 21, 1859. S. L., Junior Warden." 

§ 78. If a specific denial is deemed necessary, taking 
issue upon each of the grounds of appeal and assigning 
reasons therefor, it may be in the following form : 

Form No. 28. 

Specific Answer to Appeal. 
" Triluminar. Lodge. Xo. 800, answers the appeal of A. 
B., and says : 



84 MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDTTTIE . 

That the said Lodge denies that there is any error in 
the proceedings of said Lodge, or of the Commissioners 
appointed for* the trial of the said A. B., because the said 
Lodge says : As to the first ground of appeal, that if well 
taken it would be an oVjection to every act of the Lodge 
and its members in the premises. 

And because the said Lodge says as to the second 
ground of appeal, &c. 

[And so answering in detail each ground of appeal, and 
concluding thus :] 

And the said Lodge further says : That the decision of 
said Lodge in said case is fully sustained both by Masonic 
law and the evidence therein applicable thereto. 

Dated, May 21, 1859. S. L., Junior Warden: 1 

§ 79. The G and Lodge (by its appropriate committee), 
or the officer to whom the appeal is made, may ■ ear the 
same upon oral or written argument, > s the parties may 
agree ; or it may be heard upon app- al and answer only, 
if they sufficiently present the case. 

§ 80. Notice of the time and place of hearing shall be 
giv.i', and may be given by either party, and may be in 
the following form : 

Form No. 29. 

Notice of Argument. 

* To S. L., Junior Warden • 

Take notice, that the appeal in the matter of charges in 
Triluminar Lodge against A. B., from the decision of said 



GRAND LODGE. 85 

L clg^, to the Grand Lodge, will be moved on f r argument 
before the Committee on Appeals (Commission of Appeals) 
of the Grand Lodge (or Grand Master, or D. D. G. M. of 

the district, as the case ma}' be), at , on the 

day of , 1859, at 10 o'clock, a. m. 

Da ed, Freetown, October 6, 1859. A. B." 

§ 81. When a p rfect transcript of all the papers and 
proceedings in the case has not been made by the Lodge, 
or officer appealed from, an order may be made by t e G. 
M., or D. D. G. M., compelling the same, and may be in 
the following form : 

Form Xo. 30. 
Order for Papers on Appeal. 

" Office of the Grand Master of Masons, ) 
New York, May 28, 1859. f 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Triluminar 
Lodge, No. 800 : 

Bro. A. B., having duly appealed from the dec sion oJ 
your Lodge, made on the 30th April, 1859, suspending him 
for three months, you are hereby required to transmit by 
the hand of your Secretary nnder seal of you Lodge, a 
branscri t of all the proceedings of your Lodge in the 
case of the said A. B,, from the time of the presentation oj 
the comprint against him until the final action of your 
Lodge thereon, with the several dates thereof, togehei 
with a'l papers an i documents relating thereto nol 

heretofore returned, within days f om the receipt 

hereof by you. 

Given under my hand and private seal ) J. W. S. [seal/ 
on the day and year first above written, j Grand Master.' 



86 MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

§ 2. The Grand Lodge, or officer t° whom the appeal is 
made, will, with all convenient dispatch, make a decision 
thereon ; and, if made by a Grand officer, such decision 
shcnld be immediately filed by him with :he Giand Secre- 
tary, together with all papers relating to the appeal. 

§ 83. The decision of a Grand officer on appeal may be 
in trie following form : 

Form No. 31. 

Decision on Appeal. 

Office of the Grand Master of Masons, [ 
Penn Yan, N. Y., June 4, IS59. \ 

In tlie matter of the Appeal 

of 

Bro. A. B., of Triluminar Lodg \ No. 800. 

Bro. A. B. having appealed frcm the decision of Tri- 
luminar Lodge, No. 800, made on the 30th April, 1859, by 
which he was found guilty and suspended from the r'ghts 
and privileges of Maso- ry for three months, mi charges oi 
intox ca ion ; and h iving heard the argument of the case, 
I have carefully considered theficts appearing on said 
appeal, aud the grounds of error alleged by the appellant, 
and there does not appear to be any error or irregularity in 
th proceedings, or in the several decisions of the Com- 
missioners on the trial, and the facts of the case variant 
the conclusions of the Commissioners and the decision of 
the Lo ge." 

[If the officer desires to review the facts, in giving his 
decision, or comment on any of the points raised, he may 
here insert his rt marks and reasons.] 



GRAND LODGE. S7 

My decision and judgment therefore, is that (he pro- 
ceedings of Trilaminar Lodge, No. 800, and the attached 
decision or said Commissioners in the case of Bro. A. 13., 
be and the same are herebj 7 in all things affirmed. 

Given under my hand and private 
seal at the date first above written 



J. L. L., Grand Master, [seal.]" 



§ 84. If the decision be reversed, the appellate 
body or officer wiil vary the form accordingly, and maj 
then give the reasons therefor ; and he may also make anj 
special order which the case may warrant, to be added at 
the end of his d cision. 

§ 85. When an appeal is taken from the decision of a 
Grand officer, the case will be heard on the papers which 
were before him, and an appeal will 1 Ting up the matter 
for hearing. 

§ 86. The appeal must be served on the Lodge, (by 
service on its Master or Secretary), or officer who made 
the decision from which appeal i taken, at a reasonable 
time (not less than twenty days), before the Annual Com- 
munication of the Grand Lodge, and a copy transmitted 
to the Grand Secretary, forthwith. 

§ 87. This fin 1 appeal to the Grand Lodge may be in 
the following form ; 

Form No. 33. 

Final Appeal to Grand Lodge. 

" To the M. W. Grand Master, and to the Master, TV\ rdens, 

and Brethren of Triluminar Lodge, No. 800 : 



bb MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUEE. 

The Undersigned, A. B., hereby appeals to the Grand 
Lodge of the State of New York, from the decision of the 
M. W. Grand Master, made in and by his order of June 4, 
1859, in the case of this appellant affirming the decision 
of said Lodge on the 30th April, 1859, and this appeal is 
brought on the grounds particularly st .ted and ;set forth 
in his appeal to the M. W. Grand Master, dated May 11, 
1859 ; and lespectfully prays your consideration thereoi 
and judgment thereon. 

Dated, June 6, 1859. A. B?" 

§ 88. No answer to an appeal from the decision of a 
Gr^nd officer made on appeal to him is required. 

§ 89. Upon a trial or appeal, shoald either par.y cesire 
to use any paper document, or record, in po session or 
uuder control of the other, and the use of the same be 
refused, upon request made, an order maybe made by the 
Grand Master, his Deputy, or a District Deputy requiring 
its production on the de.ivery of an authenticated cop/ 
thereof, as such officer may determine. 

§ 90. The order for the production of such paper may 
be in the following form : 

Form No, 33. 

Order for Production of Paper. 

Office of the Geand Mastee of Masons, \ 
Bingham on, N. Y., May 15, 1859. j 

Charges having been preferred ag inst Bro. A. B., in 
Trilaminar Lodge, No. 800, and it appearing to my satis- 



GEAND LODGE. 89 

faction that upon the tr al of said A. B., on said charges, 
it is necessary that he should produce and prove a certain 
letter, written by Bro. B. M., of said Lodge, to the Secre- 
tary of said Lodge, bearing date abo-.tthe od day of April, 
1859, and that the same is not a printed letter, it is hereby- 
ordered that s id Secretary produce said letter, to be used 
on said trial and for no ottier purpose whatever. 

Given under my h nd and private seal ) 
on the day and year first aforesaid. [ 

C. J. P., Grand Master, [seal]. 

§ 91. The time required in proceedings on I\Iasonic 
trials and appeals lor answers, notices, &c, shall be as 
tohows : 

1. For answers to complant, ten days ; 

2. For notice of trial before Commissioners, ten days ; 

3. For notice of apx^lication fjr Commission to examine 
witnesses, four days ; 

±. For preparation of cross-interrogatories, two days; 

5. For notice of settlement of interrogatories and cross- 
inieirogatories, two d .ys ; 

6. For notice of decision, to be five days before time of 
presentation of rej)ort of Commissioners to a LjJge, or 
Gr .nd officer; 

7. For notice of appeal thirty days after notice of 
decision; 

8. For answer to appeal, ten days; 

9. For notice f arg anient on appeal, eight days. 



'jO masonic code of pkoceduhe. 

Bu when a complaint or notice is sent by mail, five 
clays sh 11 be added to the time specified in each case 
above. The time in each of the eases specified may be 
enlarged on snifiee-ut ranse shoT, n, by order inade by the 
Grand Master, or a District Deputy Grand Master. Of 
Bourse the time in each case may be enlarged or diminished 
\yj consent of parties. 



91 



PART III. 

Of Restoration. 
§ 92. A brother having been tried and co^vic'ed, and 
the penalty inflicted, will, if he is attached to Fr^e-Musonry 
and its principles, desire to be restored to his former 
position ; and the demands of justice having been satis- 
fied, mercy should be remembered. 

§ 93. Restoration is the act by which an erring but 
repenta it brother regains a title to and possession of all 
his former rights and privileges. * 

§ 94. Kestoration being a voluntary act on the part of 
a Lodge or Gra id Lodge, cannot be claimed as a matter 
of right, and can therefore never be compelled or en- 
forced. 

§ 95. As the penalties of reprimand and suspension are 
only temporary in their eff ct, and a br ther becomes 
fully restored to all former rights and privileges, when he 
has suffered the penalty for such offences, restoration 
only applies to those w r ho have been expelled, excer)t in 
cases of striking from the roll for non-payment of dues, 
now so modified as to be unnecessary to be here con- 
sidered. 

§ 96. Expulsion is of two kinds : 1. From the rights 
and privileges of Masonry; 2. From a particular Lodge. 



92 MASONIC CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

§ 97. A brother may be expelled from his Lodge without 
beinj expelled from the rights and privileges of Masonry; 
but expulsion from the latter will carry with it, of course, 
expulsion from the Lodge. 

§ 98, A reversal of the judgment of a Lodge restores a 
brother to the rights and privileges of Masonry, and also 
to membership in the Lodge. 

§ 99. Restoration by the action of the Grand Lodge 
does not restore a bro.her to membership in the Lodge, 
which can only be done by action of the Lodge of which 
he was a member. 

§ 100. A brother may be restored to membership iv on 
application, by a majority vote of the Lodge, except 
in a case where the Grand Lodge has, on appeal, 
affirmed a judgment of expulsion; and, being thus re- 
stored to membership, he is necessarily restored to all the 
righ;s and privileges of Masonry; and he may thus be 
restored at auy time afcer expulsion, notice of motion to 
restore having been given at the j- receding stated Com- 
munication. 

§ 101. The Grand Lodge may restore a brother after 
the lapse of one year from the time of expulsion, but in 
such case he remains unaffiliated until restored to mem- 
bership by the Lodge. 

§ 102. Application to the Grand Lodge for restoration 
rnay be in the following form : 

Form No. 3*. 

Application to Grand Lodge for Restoration. 
" A. B., late a member of Triluminar Lodge, No. 800, 



GRAND LODGE 03 

at Freetown, respectfully represents : That he was tried 
by Commissioners duly appointed in said Lodge, upon 
charges of habitual intoxication, and having been found 
guilty, was expelled from said Lodge, and from all the 
rights and privileges ot Masonry, on the 30 th day of April, 
1859; and that (more than one year has elapsed since) said 
judgment of expulsion (which) still remains in force; that 
having forsaken his intemperate habits and become re- 
formed therefrom, and having a strong attachment for 
Masonry, he earnestly desires to be restored to his former 
good standing. He, therefore, respectfully prays, that 
he may be accordingly restored to all the rights and 
privileges of Masonry. 

Dated, Freetown, May 7, 1860. A. B." 

§ 103. This application having been presented in Grand 
Lodge, will be referred to a Committee (on Grievances, 
probably), and it is proper and necessary that notice 
should be given by the Committee to the Master of the 
Lodge that expelled such applicant, in order that such 
Muster may be heard before the Committee. 

§ 104. If the Committee report favorably, the adoption 
of its report by the Grand Lodge by a majority vote re- 
stores the applicant to the rights and privileges of Masonry 
without further action. 

§ 105. When an appeal has been taken from a judgment 
of expulsion to the Grand Lodge, and the decision of the 
Lodge affirmed on appeal, then the foregoing form of 
application for restoration may be varied by striking out 
the words next after "1859," and to and including the 



MASONIC CODE OF PEOCEDUEE. 94 

word " expulsion" in the same sentence, and insert in 
place of them: "and that upon appeal to the Grand 
Lodge the said judgment was affirmed," and then add the 
remaining part of the form as before. 

§ 106. Application to a Lodge for restoration may be in 
the following form ; 

Form No. 35. 

Application to Lodge for Restoration. 

"To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Triluminar 
Lodge, No. 800: 

A. B., late a member of your Lodge, respectfully repre- 
sents: 

That he was tried upon charges of habitual intoxication 
and expelled by your Lodge, on the 30th day of April, 
1859, from which no appeal has been taken ; that having 
resolved to reform, and having forsaken his intemperate 
habits for more than six months last past, and having a 
strong attachment to Masonry, and to your Lodg j , he 
earnestly desires to be forgiven by his brethren and to be 
restored to membership in the Lodge. 

He therefore earnestly and respectfully prays that he 
may be accordingly restored. 

Dated, Freetown, March 7, 1860. A. B." 

§ 107. This application having been presented, must 
lie over till the next Stated Communication, but as there 
should be a definite proposition before the Lodge on the 
subject, some brother should offer a resolution, which 
must lie over with the application. 



GRAND LODGE. 95 

§ 108. The resolution so offered may be in the following 
form : 

Form No. 36, 

Resolution for Restoration. 

"Resolved, That Bro. A. B., who was expelled by this 
Lodge on the 30th day of April, 1859, after having been 
found guilty on charges of habitual intoxication, and who 
has presented his application for restoration, stating thnt 
he had abandoned his intemperate habits, and asking to 
be restored to membership, be and he is hereby restored 
to membership in this Lodge." 

§ 109. The adoption of this resolution at the next 
Stated Communication will complete the restoration. 

§ 110. It is proper that the application be referred to a 
Committee, in which case, if they report favorably, they 
may report a like resolution at the next Slated Com- 
munication, (instead of its being proposed by a member), 
which may forthwith be acted upon ; as it is the application 
and not the resolution founded upon it which requires to 
be laid over. 

§ 11. The Secretary of a Lodge should be careful that 
his minutes of the action of the Lodge upon, application 
for restoration should be as fall and complete as in case of 
charges or trial; and will, of course, return the fact of 
restoration to the Grand Lodge. 



PRECISIONS OF fiRAND ^ASTER, 

EECOMMEKTDATION OF 

Committee of Jurisprudence, &c., and Resolutions 
Adopted and Approved by the Grand Lodge. 

ADVANCEMENT OF CANDIDATES. 



That where a candidate presented himself for the Second 
Degree, and was stopped by an adverse ballot ; afterwards 
the Brother who demanded the ballot " removed his objec- 
tion," it was necessary for a clear ballot to be had before the 
candidate could be advanced. 

[Decison 14, G. M., 1875, pp. 31 and 232. 

That there is no provision in the constitution or statutes, 
under which a Lodge can claim jurisdiction over material, 
passed and raised in said Lodge at the request of another 
Lodge, but the brother is to be considered a member of the 
Lodge which received his petition and initiated him. 

[Decision 51, G. M., 1875, pp. 34 and 233. 

A demand for a ballot may be made at any time, but after 
a candidate has received the First Degree, an adverse ballot 
will defer his advancement only until a subsequent communi- 
cation of the Lodge, when he may present himself and after a 



GRAND LODGE. 97 

clear ballot may be advanced, provided that the balloting be 
postponed as provided in Section 57 of the Constitution. 

[Decision 8, G. M., 1S76, pp, 30 and 1 12. 

AFFILIATION AND UNAFFILIATION. 

That citizenship is not requisite to Masonic affiliation, 

[Decision I, G. M., 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

That the rejection of an application for affiliation confers 
no jurisdiction on the Lodge so acting, and it is not necessary 
for the Secretary of the Lodge to notify other Lodges of the 
fact. 

[Decision 6, G. M., 1S75, pp. 30 and 232. 

That sections 50 and 51 of the statutes have reference to 
candidates for initiation and advancement. A member of a 
Lodge, or an unaffiliate, has a right to present an application 
for affiliation to any Lodge recognized as regular by this Grand 
Lodge, without regard to limitation of time or locality. 

[Decision 2, G. M., 1875. pp. 30 and 232. 

That it is not necessary, on an application for affiliation, to 
require the questions, provided for in § 49 of the statutes, to 
be propounded. 

[Decision 3, G. M., i8?5, pp. 30 and 232. 

That Article XXIII, Section 45, of the statutes, does not, by 
its provisions, prevent unaffiliates from affiliating. It is in- 
tended to prevent the granting of dimits to the indi vidua) 
brother. 

[Decision 4, G. M., 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

TLat a Master Mason in good standing is at liberty to affl- 



98 DECISIONS AND EESOLUTIONS. 

iate with any Lodge in this jurisdiction, without reference 
to residence, which will accept his application. It is the duty 
of a Lodge, after receiving notice of a Brother's petition for 
affiliation in another Lodge, to forward his dimit to that Lodge. 
That Section 50 of the Grand Lodge Statues has reference 
only to jurisdiction over candidates for the degrees of Ma- 
sonry. 

[Decision 5, G. M., 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

That a Brother who has been dropped from the roll of a 
Lodge at his own request may be received as an affiliate by 
any Lodge in this jurisdiction. 

[Decision 7, G. M., 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

That if an applicant for affiliation has lost his dimit, the 
Lodge to which he applies must satisfy itself in a reasonable 
kvay that no other Lodge has a claim uoon him, and it may 
then receive him in the ordinary way. For any concealment 
or misrepresentation made at the time of application the pe- 
titioner may be disciplined. 

[Decision 8, G. M., 1875, PP» 3° an< 3- 2 3 2 - 

A Brother who received a dimit under the "old Constitu- 
tion," ar.d now wishes to join a Lodge, may be proposed in 
the way provided in Section 52 of the Statutes. If rejected, 
he may immediately apply to the same Lodge. Every time. 
the application is made it must be referred to a committee for 
investigation under said section. 

[Decision I, G. M. , 1876, pp. 29 and 112. 

As the election or rejection of an application for affiliation 
doesnpt give a Lodge control over the applicant, he may with- 



GRAND LODGE. 99 

draw his application after it has been presented, referred to 
and reported on by the committee. 

[Decision 2, G, M >5 1876, pp. 29 and 112. 

When a member of a Lodge has been summoned, under a By- 
Law enacted in accordance with Article XXIV, Section 46 of 
the Statutes, to pay his dues, he must, to avoid unaffiliation, 
tender the whole amount of his indebtedness. 

[Decision 3, G. M. , 1876, pp. 29 and 112. 

A Brother unaffiliated for non-payment of dues, under the 
present Constitution, has a right to visit for one year from the 
date of his unaffiliation. His dues continue to accrue against 
him after such unaffiliation. He may be reinstated by a ma- 
jority vote at any time, on payment of the amount charged 
against him on the books of the Lodge, under a By-Law 
framed in accordance with Section 46 of the Statutes. 

[Decision 4, G. M., 1876, pp. 29 and 112. 

That where a Brother's name is dropped from the roll of 

his Lodge at his own request, it^is proper that a certificate to 

that effect should be given the Brother, simply stating the fact. 

[Decision 10, G. M. 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

A Brother was " stricken from the roll" of Lodge A., in 
1856, for non-payment of dues. At the expiration of one 
year thereafter he became entirely unaffiliated, by operation 
of law. Lodge A. lost all claim on him, except for the 
amount of his indebtedness, and he lost all the claims of mem- 
bership on said Lodge. He might at that time (1857) have 
paid his debt, taken a receipt in full, and made application 
to any Lodge for affiliation, without reference to his former 
relations to Lodge A. What he might have done then, he 



100 DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. 

may do with equal right to-day. It is not necessary for him 
to apply for restoration in Lodge A., before applying for affil- 
iation in any other Lodge. He must pay to Lodge A. the 
amount due at the time he was unaffiliated, take its receipt 
therefor, and he may then make application for membership 
and be affiliated in any lodge. 

While on this subject .-et me proceed one step further. If 
the Brother desire to resume his membership in Lodge A., 
his petition must be treated in every respect as that of any 
petitioner for affiliation. The lodge having collected from 
him the amount of his debt, must refer his petition to a com- 
mittee for investigation ; on the reception of the report of 
that committee a ballot must be spread ; his acceptance will 
depend on the unanimity of the ballot ; and Lodge A. will 
be entitled to the affiliation fee prescribed by its By-Laws. 

To put an interpretation on Section 46 of the statutes, in- 
consistent with the abDve view, would be to give the Section 
such retrospective force as would be inequitable, and conse- 
quently, not within the proper scope of any constitutional 
provision. * 

The obligation of the Brother to pay dues was in the nature 
of a contract with the Lodge, a breach of this contract on the 
part of the Brother justified the Lodge in inflicting a penalty 
for its non-performance, that is, striking his name from the 
roll of members. Now, to give a meaning to any provision 
of the Grand Lodge Constitution, which would," at this late 
day, disturb the hitherto settled relations of the Brother with 
Lodge A. or alter or increase the amount of his indebtness to 
Lodge A., hitherto fixed and determined, would be repug- 
nant to every principle of justice, and contrary to every pre- 
cedent heretofore established in our Grand Body. But it 



GRAND LODGE. 101 

does not seem that the language of Section 46 or the Statutes 
is at all equivocal or doubtful in meaning. It looks entirely 
to the future. It differs in almost every particular from the 
former provision on the subject. It permits the infliction of 
the penalty for livo years'' dues instead of one ; it requires 
that the Brother shall be summoned to pay his dues thirty 
days previous to the act of the Lodge unaffiliating him; it 
then provides that " any SUCH unaffiliated Brother may be 
restored to membership by a majority vote," etc. The plain 
significance of the Section is ; that a Brother who, under the 
present Constitution, shall, at any time after ?ts adoption, 
(June, 1873) fail to pay two years' dues, may, "under certain 
restrictions, be rendered an unaffiliate, and that "ANY SUCH" 
unaffiliate may be restored, in the manner and under the con- 
ditions contained in Section 46 of the Statutes. 

[Decision 13, G. M., 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

ASSESSMENTS. 
A Lodge may levy an assessment only on extraordinary oc- 
casions, and when levied it is not (so have been the decisions) 
to be regarded as dues. A failure to pay such an assessment, 
is a failure to perform a Masonic duty, punishable on charges 
and by trial, 

[Decision 5, G. M., 1876, pp. 29 and 1 12. 

THE BALLOT. 

That if it has been announced to a profane that his petition 
for initiation has been accepted in a Lodge, and a new bal- 
lot is subsequently spread, by which he is rejected, there is no 
impropriety in announceing to him the fact and its effect, pro- 
vided it be by the Master or Secretary only. 

[Decision 19, G. M., 1S75, pp. 31 and 232. 



102 DECISIONS AND KESOLUTIONS 

Question. — " A cadidate was balloted for and declared re- 
jected by the Master. A motion was made for another ballot. 
It was granted and resulted "clear" (none having left the 
Lodge meantime). Was the action of the Lodge and of the 
Master legal, or must the candidate be regarded as rejected 
material ? " 

Ans. — The candidate, having been declared rejected, "no 
Lodge shall initiate him until the expiration of six months 
after such rejection/' (Section 56 Constitution) and then only 
on a new petition of the candidate" (Section 53* Statutes). 
The action of the Lodge was illegal and void. 

[Decision 20, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

Although there is no positive enactment limiting the Mas- 
ter's authority over the declaration of the ballot, I am 
strongly of opinion theft no Master who is faithful to his obli- 
gations will allow a ballot to be destroyed more than once 
without declaring the result. 

[Decision II, G. M., 1876, pp. 32 and 1 1 2. 

That the Master of a Lodge has a right to expect, and it shall 
be the duty of those who are opposed to the advancement of 
a Brother, to be present at the Communication of the Lodge 
and demand a ballot. 

[Decision 16, G. M., 1875, pp. 31 and 232. 

If the Master of a Lodge has begun the work of conferring 
a degree and a brother has reason to object to the initiation 
or advancement of the candidate, his proper course is to state 
to the Master that he has an objection, and it will rest with 
the Master whether he will proceed or not. But the Master 



GBAND LODGE. 103 

must regard the demand for a ballot, if made at any time 
before the Ob. 

[Decision 9, G. M., 1S76, pp. 30 and 112. 

The motive of casting a ballot will not alter the effect of a 
rejection of a candidate, but if a brother discloses the ballot 
he has cast he may be disciplined therefor. (See Sec. 65 of 
the Statutes. ) 

[Decision 10, G. M., 1S76, pp. 30 and 112. 

That a ballot for initiation may be demanded at any com- 
munication, whether the candidate appears for his Degree or 
not ; and it will be effective if adverse, to keep the applicant 
out of Masonry, until consent shall be given to another Lodge 
to confer the Degrees, or until, after the expiration of six 
months, a second petition shall be accepted ; unless, prior to 
the demand for a ballot, the applicant shall have been pro- 
posed and initiated in another Lodge having concurrent juris- 
diction. 

[Decision 21, G. M., 1875, pp.32 and 232. 

That though the action of a Lodge in spreading a second bal- 
lot, the first having been declared adverse, was irregular and 
rendered the Lodge or its Master subject to discipline, still 
the candidate having been accepted in a regular Lodge and 
initiated therein, is a regularly made Mason, and is entitled 
to all the rights of an Entered Apprentice. There is nothing 
<; clandestine " in his relations to Masonry or to his Lodge. 

[Decision 40, G. M. , 1875, pp. 33 and 232. 

That when a ballot is demanded on the petition of a candi- 
date for initiation or advancement, it is not proper to enter on 



1^4 DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. 

the minutes of a Lodge the name of the Brother making the 
demand. 

[Decision 22, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That a Brother's ballot on a petition for initiation or affili- 
ation, or the motives thereof, must not, under any circum- 
stances, be qustioned, except in the case provided in § 65 of 
the Statutes. 

[Decision 17, G. M., 1875, pp. 31 and 232. 

That it is a well established principle of Masonic law that 
the individual responsibility, in the acceptance or rejection of 
a candidate for Masonry, cannot be delegated or transferred. 
A Brother cannot cast a black-ball by proxy. 

[Decision 15, G. M., 1875 pp. 31 and 232. 

When balloting on a petition for initiation has been com- 
menced, it must be completed and the result thereof declared. 
(See Sec. 58 of the Statutes) The action of the Master of a 
Lodge in postponing the balloting— having once been com- 
menced, in such a case — to a subsequent communication was 
a grievous error, and would subject him to discipline. 

[Decision 7, G. M. f 1876, pp. 30 and 112 

That although a Degree in Masonry may be conferred at a 
special communication of the Lodge, such a course would 
be manifestly improper, unless, at the previous regular com- 
munication, the Master shall have signified his intention so to 
' do, and shall have given an opportunity for a ballot to be de- 
manded. 

[Decision 18, G. M., 1875, pp. 31 and 232. 



GRAND LODGE. 



BONDS OF LODGE OFFICERS. 



105 



The Grand Lodge disagreed with the following : 

It is not proper for a Lodge to require bonds from its officers 
sleeted under the Constitution of this Grand Lodge. It would 
be to demand from a brother other security than masonry re- 
quires for the performance of his obligations. Strictly speak- 
ing, it is a brother's duty to accept an office to which his 
brethren have seen fit to elect him ; hence it would be harsh 
to make the induction into office more difficult than Masonry 
ordinarily has in view. 

[Decision 27, G. M., 1876, pp. 31 and 113. 

BY-LAWS OF LODGES. 

That in order to unaffiliate a member for non-payment of 
dues, a Lodge must act under a By-Law passed in accordance 
with the Sections of the Constitution and Statutes of Grand 
Lodge, for that purpose made and provided. 

[Decision 12, G. M., 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

An Amendment was offered to the By-Laws of a Lodge. 
Under those By-Laws, it was "offered in writing, read before 
the Lodge and laid over for two weeks, and the members 
notified of the pendency of the Amendment." At the com- 
munication to which it was laid over, it is properly before the 
Lodge for action. The writing, reading laying over and noti- 
fication of members were all for the purpose of preventing 
surprise or hasty action. At the subsequent meeting it may 
be thoroughly discussed and modified in any particular, not 
in conflict with the general intent of the notice previously 
given. For instance, if an alteration of the By-Laws of a Lodge 
is proposed, fixing the dues at a certain amount, it is com 



106 DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS . 

petant for the brethren on the night when action is to be 
taken (under the provisions above stated) to redttce ox increase 
the amount named in the original Amendment, without fur- 
flier delay or notice to the brethren. It is a fair presumption 
that "opportunity for reflection" was afforded in the first in- 
stance and that the brethren having had notice of the pro- 
posed change have studied the subject in all its bearings, and 
are prepared, when they come to act, on the proposed Amend- 
ment, to discuss : 

Firstly, Whether any alterations of the law should be 
made. And 

Secondly, The best change to make, and to settle the mat- 
ter then and there. 

[Decision 6, G. M., 1876, pp. 29 and 112. 

Where a Lodge passed a By-Law, which prescribed that "a 
brother, who shall have been a faithful member of this Lodge 
.11 good standing for ten years consecutively, shall be a privi- 
leged member, entitled to all benefits of the Lodge, by 
paying Grand Lodge dues only," and a member of the Lodge 
had complied with all the provisions of said law, after which 
the Lodge rescinded the By-Law. Held that the brother could 
not be compelled to pay dues to his Lodge, other than Grand 
Ledge dues. But this shall not apply to other extraordinary 
assessments for Masonic purposes. 

[Decision 50, G. M., 1875, pp. 34 and 233. 

CHAKGES, TFJALS AND APPEALS. 

question. If the majority of the members of a Lodge are 
implicated in a Masonic offence, how can they be proceeded 
against, and can any Mason, except a member of the Ledge 
so offending, prefer charges ? 



c::axd lodge. 107 

Answer, Charges may be preferred in such a case, by any 
brother, and if the Master be implicated, the District Deputy 
will appoint a commission of Masters and Past Masters in the 
case of the Master, and of members of the Lodge, in ca^e of 
the other offending brothers. If a majority of the members are 
charged, still let die complaint against them be preferred, tried, 
and if justice be trifled with, the Grand Master or Grand 
Lodge will remedy the wrong, on appeal. In such a case, the 
Grand Master would, perhaps, consider it his duty to suspend 
the warrant until the meeting of the Grand Lodged. 

[Decision 14, G. M. , 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 

When charges are preferred in a Lodge against one of its 
members and a commission has been appointed, and taken 
evidence in the case, and afterwards the charges are unani- 
mously dismissed by the Lodge, the District Deputy Grand 
Master will not have the right to appoint a commission to try 
the same charges without an cppeal being taken. His du- 
ties and privileges are clearly defined in the 35th Section of the 
Constitution, which, when taken together with Section 58 de- 
termines the cases requiring or justifying his official interfer- 
ence. The office possesses no inherent prerogative. The 
spirit and letter of the Masonic Constitution guarantees to 
every Lodge its unquestionable right to control its own mem- 
bership and its internal management, when such government 
is consistent with the Landmarks, Constitution and Statutes. 
[Committee on Mas. Juris., 1784, p. 268. 

That an officer of a Lodge, against whom charges are pre- 
ferred, continues to hold his office, until, after due Masonic 
trial, a pena'ty has been decreed ; and it will depend on the 
duration of the penalty, whether he may at any time resume 



103 DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. 

his official functions. It is in the power of the Grand Master 
if, on a presentation of charges, he shall deem it advisable 
for the interests of the Craft, to suspend such officer, until the 
issues shall have been determined. 

[Decision 63, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 232. 

If a Lodge refuse to receive charges against a member, an 
appeal will lie to the Grand Master, who may order the 
Lodge to receive the complaint and refer it for trial. 

[Decision 17, G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 

"That charges may be preferred in a Lodge against a 
brother, who has been declared unaffiliated by reason of non- 
payment of dues." 

[Decision 11, G. M., 1875, pp. 30 and 232. 

Whereas, by Article XIV., Section 61, of the Constitution, 
the Commission of Appeals is required to meet at each An- 
nual Session of the Grand Lodge. 

Resolved, That the Commission of Appeals be, and it is 
hereby authorized to meet hereafter annually, for the exam- 
ination of Appeals which shall come before it, at such other 
time and place, previous to the. Annual Communication of the 
Grand Lodge, as shall be fixed by the Chief Commissioner. 
/ [p. 99—1876. 

That where but one Commissioner at a Masonic Trial is 
challenged by either party, it is the right and duty of the 
other Commissioners to try the challenge. 

[Decision 24, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

A Lodge may not reverse its own action after sentence has 
been pronounced, and while the accused is undergoing pun- 
ishment, so as to prejudice his standing or rights. 



GRAND LODGE. 103 

Therefore, a Lodge having sentenced a brother to be repri- 
manded for a Masonic offence, has exhausted its right to pun- 
ish for that offence. The subject may not be judicially re- 
viewed or reconsidered by the Lodge. Only on appeal may 
the action of the Lodge be reversed or set aside. 

[Decisions 55 and 56, G. M., 1875, p. 34, 35, 233. 

That the issues in a trial having once been finally deter- 
mined upon the merits, a Lodge may not proceed to a new 
trial upon the same charges and specifications, unless a new 
trial be granted upon appeal. 

[Decision 49, G. M., 1875, pp. 34 and 232. 

A Master of a Lodge, or any member thereof, is liable to 
Masonic discipline for the violation of any moral law, or for 
an offence deemed criminal by the law of the land. 

[Decision 16, G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 

Section 73 of the Statutes, directing that charges for offi- 
cial misconduct against a Master shall be made during his 
term of office or within one year thereafter, does not prevent 
a Lodge from trying and punishing a brother for so grave an 
offence as the embezzlement of its funds, while holding the 
office of Master, on discovery of the crime. 

[Decision 12, G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 

The confession by a brother of a Masonic crime, accom- 
panied by a plea for mercy, does not in any wise entitle him 
to a milder punishment than the offence demands. In deal- 
ing with the offence, and determining the penalty, two things 
must be kept in view : I. Charity for the brother who con- 
fesses a fault. 2. Duty to the Lodge and the Craft in general. 
[Decision 58, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 233. 



110 DECISIONS AND KESOLUTIONS. 

That a Masonic tribunal will not interfere to establish 
the civil rights of brethren, nor will Masonry allow itself to 
be made a convenient means, through which a creditor may 
collect what is due him from his Masonic debtor. 

[Decision 27, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That the decision and sentence of a Lodge in the trial of a 
brother, on charges, is always subject to appeal, and if the 
appellate officer, or commission, or body reverses the decision 
or sentence, the brother's status is, as if the decision of the 
lower tribunal had not been rendered. 

[Decision 54, G. M. 1875, pp. 34 and 233. 

CODE OF PROCEDURE. 

That the provisions of Sections 96, 97 and so much of Sec- 
tion 100 of the Code of Procedure as ordains that an ex- 
pelled brother may be restored to membership by a majority 
vote of the Lodge from which he was expelled, being in con- 
flict with the provisions of Sections 76 and 78 of the statutes oi 
the Grand Lodge, are void. 

[Decision 32, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

Resolved, That the Code of Precedure for trials and appeals 
adopted by the Grand Lodge be printed in the appendix of 
the New Constitution and Statutes. 

[1873, p. 201. 

COMMITTEES OF INVESTIGATION. 

The duty of a member of a committee appointed to in- 
vestigate the fitness of a candidate for Masonry does not re- 
quire him to ascertain the special religious views of a candi- 
date. If -^profane is desirious of entering our institution \K 



GRAND LODGE. Ill 

is sufficient if he comes a worthy man, well qualified intel- 
lectually, morally and physically. 

Masonary neither reciprocates nor retaliates the harshness 
of bigorty or sectarianism. The whole matter of admissibil- 
ity is leL to ihe cons.ience of the applicant and of the breth- 
ren to whom he mates application. 

[Decision 20. G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and II". 

That a Committee, appointed in pursuance of the 52d Sec- 
tion of the Statutes of the Grand L'dge, must mike a report, 
in terms * % favorably " or "unf vorablyV before a ballot shall 
be spread on the application of the candidate 

[Decision 53 ,G. M., 1875, pp. 34 and 233. 

CONFERRING DEGREES. 

That there is no inherent right in the Grand Master to 
grant a dispensation to a Lodge 'o confer a Degree at an in- 
terval less than that fixed by the Statutes of the Grand Lodge. 
[Decision 25, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 an 1 232. 

That a Lodge having been illegally opened, by a Past 
Master in the absence of the Master and Warde s, couhl not 
transact business of any kind, after either of said officers had 
entered without being again and regularly opened. That the 
conferring of the 3d degree in Masonry, under such circum- 
stances, was illegal, and that it will be necessary, again to 
confer said degree on the brothers, before they can be ac- 
knowledge as regularly made Master Masons. 

[Decision 39, G. M., 1875, PP- 33 an! 232. 



112 DECISIONS AND BESOLUTIOXS. 

CONVENTIONS OF MASTERS. 

Question If a party of Masters Lodges should wish to 
meet together on business of the order, ai one of their houses 
would it be necessary for them to get permission irom the 
Grand Master, etc? 

The answer to this question depends very much on the char- 
acter of the business which the Masters of the Lodges desire 
to transact. If it be their wish to meet in their official or 
representative capacity it should for mnny reasons be done with 
the knowledge and consent of the Grand Master or his repre- 
sentative. If it be w'thout design to take action for the pur- 
pose of affecting or influencing the Craft generally, I know 
of no reason which would require the assent of the Grand 
Master or which would necessitate the interference of the 
governing power. 

[Decision 21, G. M , 1876, pp. 31 and 112. 

COUNSEL. 

That if a Brother, in a Masonic Trial, is called on to testify 
to facts which have come to his knowledgein his confidential 
relation, as coun el, it would be improper to require him to 
give evidence against his client. That if the facts, concerning 
which he is called to testify, came to the knowledge of the 
Brother before he became counsel, or are entirely discon- 
nected from his professional or privileged relations to the 
accused, there can be no reason why he should be excused, 
from performing a duty incumbent on every Brother, what- 
ever his station in the Fraternity. 

[Decision 23, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 
4 Resoved, That this Grand Lodge deems it injudicious. 



GRAND LODGE. 113 

fo- any of its elective or appointed officers to appear and act 
as counsel for either party before a Ma onic Commissioner ap- 
pointed to try offences. 

[Committee Mas. Juris. ; 1876, pp. 112 

DIMITS AND DISCISSION. 

A Brother wl o h:is lost his dimit, granted before the adop- 
tion of the present const tution, is entitle 1 .0 a duplicate di- 
mit, said dupLcate to be dated as of .heti ne when originally 
granted. 

x [Decision 9, G, M ; 1875, pp 30 and 232 

DISTRICTS. 

At the Convention of Granl Lo'ge in 1873, the Gr nd 
officers, ap omtei o re-uistrict the Masonic Districts, pre- 
sented a report which was amended by sinking out the Rich- 
mond County District and attaching th_- Lodges to he 4th 
Masonic District. It was adop'ed — (See ptge 208 Transac- 
tions of 1873.) In 1876 the Grand Lod^e altered the limits 
and number of Districts and re •districted, the State as follows; 

DISTEICTS. 

1. Suffolk and Queens Counties. 

2. Kings County, east of Washington Avenue, Brook"!yn. 

3. Kings County, west of Washing; on Avenue, Brooklyn. 

4. Lod es in New York City, numerically from No, I to 

No. 156, inclusive. 

5. Lodges in New York City from No. 178 to No. 271, in- 

clusive. 

6. Lodges in N.wYork City from 272 o No. 454, in- 

elusive. 



114: DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS 

7. Lodges iii New York City from No. 457 to No. 641, inclu- 
sive. 

c . Lodges in New York City from No. 642 to No. 773, in- 
clusive. 

9. Westchester, Putnum, and Dutchess Counties. 

10. Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. 

11. Green, Del' ware, and Schonarie Counties. 

12. Columbia, Rensselaer, Albany and Schenectady Coun- 

ties. 

13. Washington. Saratoga, Warren a id Esse x Counties. 

14. Montgomery Fukon, Hamilton, and Herkimer Coun. 

ties. 

15. St. Lawrence, Franklin, and Clinton Counties. 

16. Jefferson, and Lewis Counti s. 

17. Oneida and Madison Counties. 

18. Otsego, Chenango and Brooms Counties. 

19. Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Cortland Counties. 

20. Tompkins, Schuyler, Tioga and Chemung Counties. 

21. Wayne, Ontario, Seneca and Yates Coumies. 

22. Monroe, Livingston. Genesee and Wyoming Counties. 

23. Steuben and Allegany Counties. 

24. Orleans and Niagara Counties. 
25 Erie County. 

26. Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. 

27. Richmond County. 

Lodges working in the German Tongu°, in the Cities of 
New York and Brooklyn and in Richmond County. 

Lodges working in the French, Spanish, and Italian 
Tongues in t e ci ies of New York and Brooklyn. 

[p. 114— 1876. 



GEANTD LODGE. 115 

ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. 

That where officers of a Lodge were irregularly chosen 
through inadvertence, their subsequent regular installation, 
|it a stated communication, without objection, corrected the 
error. (Decision of 1859 renewed). 

[Decision 28, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That a Lodge must be summoned for the annual election 
of officers. A Master refusing to summon the Lodge for that 
purpose is liable to discipline, and if the election be held at 
a meeting to which the members are not summoned, it may 
be set aside for irregularity. 

[Decision 29, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That a Master of a Lodge should be installed after each 
re-election. 

[Decision 35, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That it is irregular to install a Master-elect over a Lodge 
previous to Ins being put in possession of the secrets of the 
chair. 

[Decision 36, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That a member of a Lodge may be installed by proxy in 
any office, of which he has signified his acceptance, except 
that of Master, in the discretion of the installing officer. An 
installation by proxy is rendered valid, by any subsequent 
act of the brother thus installed, which would tend to show 
his acceptance of the office. 

[Decision 37, G. M., 1875, pp. 33 and 232 . 

That the ceremony of installation must be performed by 
an Actual Master or Past Master of a Lodge. 

[Decision 38, G. M., 1S75, pp. 33 and 232. 



J 16 DEO-UjIONS and kesoltjtions . 

EXPULSIONS AND OTHER PUNISHMENTS, AND 
RESTORATION. 

That expulsion, in every case, is from the rights and privi- 
leges of Masonry, and carries with it the loss of membership 
in a Lodge. Restoration, by act of a Lodge, or Grand Lodge, 
is to the forfeited rights of Masonry, but not to membership, 
which ceased when the act of expulsion took effect, and which 
can only be resumed by regular affiliation 

[Decision 31, G. M., 1875, PP- 3 2 and 232. 

An expelled Mason is masonically dead. When restored, 
it is to masonic life. He has no more to do with the Lodge 
from which he was expelled than with any other Lodge after 
restoration. To affiliate, he must make application in the 
regular form for that purpose and may apply to any Lodge. 
[Decision 18, G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 

No action a Lodge may take, can bar the right of a brother 
to appeal to the Grand Master or Grand Lodge. A sentence 
of reprimand should fix the time of execution at a date suffi- 
ciently remote to enable the accused to serve notice of appeal 
and to obtain, if possible, a stay of proceedings. 

[Decision 13, G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 

A Mason may be punished for offences committed either 
against the Craft or against society, and during the period of 
punishment he is deprived of all his Masonic rights and priv- 
ileges, but his obligations, once assumed, cannot be thrown 
aside. It is in this way that the expression "once a Mason 
always a Mason" is to be understood. 

[Decision 19, G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 



GRAND LODGE. 117 

That where the Commissioners, after the trial of a brother, 
charged with a Masonic offence, reported the accused guilty 
and recommended his exDulsion, and an amendment was of- 
fered to change the penelty to suspension, it was the duty of 
the Master to take the vote of the Lodge on the greater pen- 
alty first. 

[Decision 57, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 233. 

If a Grand Lodge restore an expelled brother to the rights 
and privileges of Masonry, the action will be recognized as 
conclusive, wherever such Grand Lodge may have affiliation 
or correspondence. A Grand Lodge will not restore a 
brother expelled from the rights of Masonry in another juris- 
diction. 

[Decison 15, G. M., 1876, pp. 30 and 112. 

That a resolution passed in a Lodge, restoring an expelled 
brother, has no force beyond the declaration of the Consti- 
tution. It restores him to the rights of Masonry, but not to 
membership in his Lodge. Thereafter he " stands as an un- 
affiliated Mason." and may be affiliated only on regular pe- 
tition and by unanimous acceptance. 

[Decision 33, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That the provisions of the Constitution of the Grand 
Lodge, adopted in June, 1873, have no retrospective or re- 
troactive effect, either to lessen or increase punishment in- 
flicted before its adoption. It will be necessary for a Lodge 
to act on the question of restoration, before a brother, hereto- 
fore indefinately suspended, can resume his good standing 
among Masons; provided the brother shall not be restored by 
the Grand Lodge. 

[Decision 64, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 232. 



118 DECISIONS AND EESOLTJTIONS. 

FEES AND DUES. 

That the fee referred to in. Section 63 of the Statutes of 
Grand Lodge is for the initiation, and the whole amount of 
the fee is due at the time of initation. A brother whose ad- 
vancement has been stayed by the ballot, cannot, under any 
law of Masonry, claim a return of the fee or any part thereof. 
[Decision 34, G. M., 1875, PP- 3 2 an( i 2 3 2 - 

A Lodge about ten years ago, returned and reported to the 
Grand Secretary, a membership of four or five more than its 
actual number; and has paid the Grand Lodge dues on this 
excess of membership to the present time, to an amount in 
the agregate of $26.75. Your Committee, after examining 
the documents and testimony submitted to them, and a care- 
ful consideration of the matter, are of the opinion that said 
lodge having made its report annually, certified by its Master, 
during the whole period of the existance of the grievance 
complained of, said certified returns should be conclusive 
against the Lodge, and it should be estopped from so im- 
peaching or questioning the correctness of its own return, as 
to require the Grand Lodge to protect it from the careless- 
ness or negligence of its own officers in times gone by. To 
take any other view of the matter would open the door to 
complaints without number to the Grand Lodge, involving 
the correctness of the records and returns of a Lodge for any 
number of years. 

[Committee on Grievances, Case 4, p. 229 — 1875. 

That the refusal of a Lodge to donate to a brother his dues 
on one occasion, will not prevent the body from granting 
the same relief at another and subsequent time. A resolution 



GKAND LODGE. 110 

donating money to a brother to pay his dues, having been 
adopted by a Lodge , can not be subsequently reconsidered 
and negatived. 

[Decision 62, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 233. 

The Grand Lodge disagreed with the following : 

A Lodge lost its charter in 1870. An Entered Apprentice 
of said Lodge, now wishes advancement in a Lodge in his 
jurisdiction, in accordance with the provisions of Article XII, 
Section 54, Subdivision 3, of the Constitution. I know of no 
way by which the Lodge can charge any fee. Certainly, it 
may not charge an initiation fee, and as the brother, if ac- 
cepted and advanced, would become a member of the Lodge 
by force of said section, I do not see how an affiliation fee 
can be lawfully charged. I do not deem the rule equitable, 
but the conclusion seems to me unavoidable. 

[Decision 22, G. M., 1876, pp. 31 and 113. 

GRAND LODGE FLAG. 
" Resolved, That hereafter, during all Communications of 
this Grand Lodge, that the flag prepared by the Building 
Committee be displayed from the Staff on the Hall," 

[p. p. 226. — 1875. 
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. 

That honorary membership in a Lodge, depends entirely 
on active membership in some other Lodge. It carries with it 
no rights or privileges in the Lodge wherein it is conferred 
and imposes no duties. If the honorary member gives up his 
active membership, he is subject to the disabilities of an run- 
affiliate. His honorary membership is virtually held in abey- 
ance until he is again affiliated. 

[Decision 52, G. M., 1875, PP- 34 am * 2 33- 



120 DECISIONS kill) 11ESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved, That an honorary member of a Lodge has not 
the right to visit said Lodge when a member of it objects 
thereto. 

[Committee Mas. Juris., 1875, P- 2 33* 

JUEISDICTION OF LODGES OVEE CANDIDATES. 
That a Lodge which rejects a candidate for initiation cannot 
grant any general release of jurisdiction. It will act only on 
application of a Lodge which shall have shown its willing- 
ness to accept the candidate. 

[Decision 41, G.M., 1875, pp. 33 and 232. 

That the jurisdiction of a Lodge over candidates extends 

to a point half-way between it and the nearest Lodge. Such 

point to be ascertained on an air-line from Lodge to Lodge. 

[Decision 42, G. M., 1875, pp.33 and 232. 

A candidate was rejected in Lodge A. He removes to the 
village occupied by Lodge B. After a constitutional time 
has elapsed, he applies for initiation in Lodge C. situated at 
a distance from his home. Held, that Lodge C. must obtain 
consent from Lodge A. and B. , before said Lodge C may ini- 
tiate the candidate. 

[Decision 43, G. M. , 1875, pp. 33 and 232. 



That where a candidate for initiation and advancement is 
balloted for and accepted by a Lodge and afterwards peti- 
tions for initiation, is balloted for and accepted in another 
Lodge having concurrent jurisdiction, he may elect to be ini- 
tiated in either Lodge. But, if a ballot is afterwards called 
for and the candidate is rejected in either Lodge before his 
initiation in the other, he is thereby estopped, and the Lodge 
rejecting him obtains jurisdiction. 

[Decision 44, G. M., 1875, pp. 33 and 232. 



GBAND LODGE. 121 

The removal of a Lodge "within its jurisdiction" is an 
impossibility, except in the case specially provided for in the 
Statute of Grand Lodge ; for as soon as a Lodge has legally 
removed its place of meeting from one village to another its 
jurisdictional limits are altered. 

[Decisions 45, G. M., 1875, pp. 33 and 232. 

"Does a candidate rejected in a Lodge, and afterwards 
released from its jurisdiction, come under the jurisdiction of 
the next nearest Lodge, or is he at liberty to send in his peti- 
tion to any Lodge he chooses ? 

The submission of the above question for my decision, re- 
vealed to me the existence of such a vague comprehension of 
the rules affecting Lodge jurisdiction, that in my reply, I 
found it necessary to discuss the subject more at length than 
would ordinarily be requisite in answering communications 
with reference? to interpretation of Masonic Law. 

The subject of jurisdiction of Lodges over candidates in- 
volves the consideration of two questions : 

I. What gives a Lodge jurisdiction over a candidate ? « 

II. How may a Lodge, not having original jurisdiction 
over a candidate, obtain jurisdiction ? 

In the examination of the first question, we are to be 
guided by the provisions of Article XIII., Section 56 of the 
Constitution, and of Article XXV., Sections 50 and 51 of the 
Statutes of Grand Lodge. 

The meaning of Article XIII., Section 56 (Constitution) is 
too well understood to need comment here. Take it in con- 
nection with the two Sections of the Statutes referred to, and 
we determine the method of obtaining jurisdiction at the out- 
set. 

Yv 7 e find that the candidate must, 



122 DECISIONS AND EESOLUTIONS. 

e 

First. — Reside within the territorial jurisdiction of th 

Lodge which accepts him. (See Section 50, Statutes.) 

Secondly. — He must have resided within that territory a 
certain length of time (See Section 51, Statutes.) 

Thirdly. — He must satisfy the Lodge to which he applies 
that he has not been previously rejected. (See Section 56, 
, Constitution.) 

i These three requirements determine the jurisdiction of a 
Lodge over candidates in the first instance. 

In reference to the II. question, namely : How may a 
Lodge not having original jurisdiction over a candidate, ob- 
tain jurisdiction? — the Constitution and Statutes point out but 
one way, and that is, by receiving permission from the Lodge 
having jurisdiction at the time the candidate's application is 
made. 

Here let it be observed, that a Lodge can relinguish its 
jurisdiction over a rejected candidate in either of two cases: 

First. — Where, having original jurisdiction, it rejects him 
and then grants permission to another Lodge, making appli- 
cation therefore, to initiate and advance him. 

Second. — Where, having once rejected a candidate, the 
Lodge afterwards elects him, and he then petitions another 
Lodge having concurrent jurisdiction, is accepted, and de- 
cides to take his degrees in the second Lodge. In this case, 
the jurisdiction is lost by force of law. 

The conclusion of whole matter seems clear: That a can- 
didate rejected in a Lodge having territorial jurisdiction over 
him at the time of rejection,- remains under the jurisdiction of 
that Lodge, until consent is given to some other Lodge, 
which has accepted his petition, to confer the degrees of Ma- 
sonry upon him. This consent may be given to any Lodge 
in whose jurisdiction such candidate resides at the time of 



GUAND LODGE. 123 

such application. The rejection of a candidate in a Lodge 
does not bar the right of another Lodge to receive his petition 
and to spread a ballot thereon: it simply qualifies and limits 
the right to confer the degrees of Masonry upon him, until 
consent is obtained. In this connection, it might be well to 
add, that the rejection of a candidate by a Lodge not having 
jurisdiction over him at the time of his application, will not 
operate to prevent another Lodge from accepting him and 
making him a Mason. 

[Decision 46, G. M., 1S75, pp. 33 and 232. 

MASONIC BURIAL. 

That "Masonic burial" (in Section 42 of the Statutes), 
has particular reference to the performance of the services 
a::d ceremonies over a deceased brother. 

[Decision 47, G. M., 1875, pp. 34 and 232. 

MINUTES OF LODGE. 

The minutes of every communication, whether regular or 
special, should be read and approved before the Lodge is 
closed. 

[Decision 23, G. M., 1876, pp. 31 and 112. 

The minutes of a Lodge having been approved, may not 
be altered, but a minute may be ordered and made at a sub- 
sequent communication, in the proceedings of said communi- 
cation, explaining or correcting the errors of record of the 
previous communication. 

[Decision 24, G. M., 1876, pp. 31, and 112. 

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS. 

That the physical qualifications of a candidate for Ma- 



1^^ DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. 

sonry can not be determined by the Grand Master. The 
Grand Master can not issue a Dispensation allowing a Lodge 
to disobey a landmark of Masonry. Whether a candidate is 
such "a. hale man, sound, not deformed or dismembered," 
as the landmarks of Masonry prescribe to be eligible mater- 
ial for the temple, is a question that must be settled by the 
conscientious judgment of the Master, and each brother of the 
Lodge. If a Master of a Lodge is not satisfied after 
thoroughly and scrupulously considering the. matter, that 
the candidate is such a man, it will be his duty to reject him. 
[Decision 59, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 233. 

POWERS, DUTIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MASTERS. 

That a brother, who had been a Warden of a Lodge, and 
while holding that ofhee, took up his residence in another 
State, and was elected Master of said Lodge, was eligible to 
the said office and might be lawfully installed. 

[Decision 25, G. M., 1876, pp. 31 and 112. 

That it is competent for a Master to refuse to confer a 
Degree upon any candidate, until such time as, in his judg- 
ment, it will be wise to do so. 

[Decision 26, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

That the Master has a right, and it is his duty, to exclude 
from the Lodge a Brother, who by his perverseness or con- 
tumacy, may interfere with the proper working of the Lodge 
or disturb its harmony. 

[Decision 30, G. M., 1875, pp. 32 and 232. 

The presence of the Master of a Lodge as a representative 



GEA.ND LODGE. 125 

at a session of the Grand Lodge vacates any proxy given by 
the Lodge for that purpose. 

[Decision 26, G. M., 1876, pp. 31 and 112. 

That it is entirely improper, except by way of appeal, for 
a brother of a Lodge to criticise the action of his Master, or 
to seek to obtain from higher authority a reversal of a Mas- 
ter's action, without giving notice to the Master of his inten- 
tion so to do, and either furnishing the Master with a copy of j 
his communication to the reviewing officer, or sending the 
questions, concerning which he seeks an opinion, through 
the hands of the Master ; in this way giving him notice that 
his ruling is called in question. 

[Decision 6o, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 233. 

That the Master of a Lodge has a right to one vote on any 
question brought before his Lodge. He may vote in the orig- 
inal count, or to determine a tie vote, but may not exercise 
the privilege in both instances on the same question. 

[Decision 66, G. M. , 1875, pp. 35 and 232. 

That the Master of a Lodge was justified in suspending a 
Tiler, who was temporarily unfitted for the performance of 
the functions of his office by intoxication. It does not matter 
that the Tiler was elected under the By-Laws of the Lodge. 
The Master's obligations to the Craft approved the exercise 
of a very necessary perogative. 

[Decision 65, G. M., 1875, pp. 35 and 232. 

RECONSIDERATION OF YCTE. 

That there is no law of Masonry, or reason for a law, 
which will pie vent a Lodge from reconsidering an action im- 
properly or unadvisedly taken. The right to reconsider a 



126 DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. 

motion, however, must depend on its nature and the facts of 
the case. 

[Decision 61, G. M., 1875 pp. 35 and 233. 

ROOMS OF MASONIC LODGES. 

Although there is nothing mandatory in the laws or land- 
marks against the use of a Masonic Lodge-room by other as- 
sociations not Masonic ; still correct Masonic sentiment 
teaches that a Lodge-room, under control of a Masonic Lodge 
and dedicated to the purposes of Masonry, should not be let 
or used for other than Masonic purposes. Only under extra- 
ordinary circumstances should this rule admit of an exception, 
and then the conscience of the brethren must determine for 
them the propriety of a departure from the well-approved 

custom. 

[Decision 48, G. M., 1875, pp. 34 and 232. 



DIGEST OF 

Commission of Appeals Seports, 

ADOPTED BY GRAND LODGE. 



The Members of the Commission* 
1874. 



R. W. Andrew E. Suffern, Chief Commissioner: 

W. John De Remer, 
K. W. William T. Woodruff, 
R. W. George 0. Baker, 
R. W. Alexander T. Goodwin, 
R. W. David F. Day, 

W. Jooeph J. Couch. 

1875. 



R. W. Andrew E. Suffern, Chief Commissioner. 

W. Joseph J. Couch, 

W. John De Bemer, 
B. W. William T. Woodruff, 

W. Joseph Welling, 
B, W. Alexander T. Goodwin, 
B. W. David F. Day, 



1-3 G"RAND LODGE. 

1876. 

E. "W. Andrew E. Suffern, Chief Commissioner. 

E. W. Cornelius Esselstyn, 

W. Joseph J Couch, 

W. John De Eemer, 

R. W. Joseph Koch, 

W. Joseph Well ng, 
E. W., Alexander T. Goodwin, 

CASE! 1874. 

A sentence of Expulsion from a Lodge is irregular and 
unwarranted. The correct and regular sentence would 
have been Expulsion from the rights of Masonry. 

Resolved, That it is declared to be an imperative rule 
in Masonic trials, that when a vote is taken in a Lodge 
upon the guilt or innocence of a brother under charges, 
or upon the measure of his punishment, the vote to con- 
stitute a majority must be a majority of all the members 
oi the Lodge present when such a vote is taken. 

[p . 253. Transactions 1874. 

CASE II. 1874. 

The Commisioners appointed in pursuance of the pro-' 
vision contained in § 58 of the Constitution to hear and 
determine charges against the Master of the Lodge, ad- 
judged the accused guilty and recommended a suspension 
of the brother from the rights and privileges of Masonry 
for the space of four weeks from the date of said adjudica- 
tion. An app al was taken by complainant. Held: That 
thecommi sioners before whom the charges against the Mas- 



COMMISSION OF APPEALS EEPOETS 129 

ter were tried, should have inflicted the penalty insfr ad 
of recommending it to be inflicted, for there is no pow r 
under the Constitution which could carry into eff ct the 
recommendation other than the Commissioners them- 
selves. 

[p. 253. Transactions 1874. 

CASE in, 1874. 

A 1 rother was charged with having made indecent pro- 
posals to two young girls, one of whom is the s ster of a 
Master Ma ou, and with having furnished to the said sis- 
ter of a Master Mason money with which to enable her to 
leave her home and go to the City of New York for an im- 
proper purpose. The accused was found guilty and the 
penalty of expulsion was inflicted. On appeal, Held : 
That the Lo.ge very properly inflicted the penalty of ex- 
pulsion. 

Tp. 254. Transactions 1874. 

CASE IV. 1874. 

A brother was charged with using language in refer- 
ence to his improper intimacy with a Master Mason's wi- 
dow, (unfit to be repeated in the report,) and various 
other charges of alike character were made against him. 
During the course of the trial he withdrew the plea of not 
guilty and substituted the plea of guilty to the charge of 
immorality, established by the prosecution. Held, on 
appeal, That the sentence of expulsion was just. 

[p. 255. Transactions 1874. 

CASE V. 1874. 
An appeal was taken from a conviction on a chrrge of 



130 GRAND LODGE. 

desertion of wife and children and living in adultery with 
a woman of bad character. The wife of the accused ob- 
tained a divorce by decree of Supreme Court. On appeal. 
Held : that the sentence of expulsion inflicted by the 
Lodge was fully wai ranted. 

[p. 255. Transactions 1874. 

CASE VI. 1874 

The accused in the presence of a member of his Lodge 
spoke and declared of another member of said Lodge, the 
following, or words of that effect. " He is a liar, and I 
would not believe him under oath." He was tried con- 
victed, and suspended lor two years. On appeal no error 
or irregularity in the proceedings on the trial or of the 
Lodge was found, but the suspension was terminated, the 
appellant having suffered one year and upward of his term 
of sentence. 

[p. 255. Transactions. 1874. 

CASE VII. 1874. 

The rights of the members of a Lodge are co-equal, and 
any attempt to depr ve one of his rights is just cause of a 
complaint, and such attempt should not be justified by 
the Grand Lodge. The examination of the ballot box by 
one or more cf the brethren while the lodge was at refresh- 
ment and found clear is not evidence on which to convict 
the brother of the charges preferred against him in the case. 
The charges in the case are too indefinite and uncertain to 
place a Brother on trial. Kamely : ''falsely charging in 
a written communi ation to D. L>. G. M , that the Lod,e 
had resorted to unmasonic means to initiate a candidate, 



COMMISSION OF APPEALS BEP0&TS. 131 

etc. Makin . official declaration as Junior Warden to the 

Worshipful Master which he knew to be false," and falsely 
charging the Senior Deacon with abstracting a black ball 
from the ballot Box while pissing from the station in the 
South to that in the West. There was a successful attempt 
on the part of members of the Lodge to initiate a candi- 
date again- 1 the well understood objection of the appellant. 
Under the Constitution and Statutes, Indefinite Sus- 
pension is abrogated and unknown, and while it may have 
been lawful where sentence was pronounced. Yet it is too 
severe if the acts complained of justified any punish- 
ment. The judgment and sentence were reversed. 

[p. 256. Transactions 1874. 

CASE VIII. 1874. 

The accused was placed on trial for an attempt to ex- 
tort money from a former member of the Lodge to which 
he belonged. He had commenced an action in the Su- 
preme Court to se* aside certain assignments of mortgages 
alleging that the c nsideration of the assignments of said 
mortgages by him made, had not ber n paid. At the time 
of the trial in the Lodge and of the appeal, issue had been 
joined in said case, the action had not been tried rind was 
still pending. It appeared that the accused voluntarily 
acted as the medium of the said assignment betw en the 
said brother and his wife, and that the procee ing at law 
is without support or ju-tification, or any legal, moral or 
masonic grounds, and that the scheme was lor the pur- 
1 ose of extorting money from the parties defendant. The 
appellant committed a masonic offence and should receive 



132 gkAnd lodge. 

the most emphatic condemnation. The appeal was dis- 
missed. 

[p. 257. Transactions 1874. 

CASE I. 1875. 

A brother was charged with unmasonic conduct in this, 
that he had advised a member of his Lodge not to propose 
candidates in the Lodge, as they would be rgected, for no 
candidate should be initiated in the Lodge during the 
(then) present year; that accused did, at the time afore- 
said, falsely and maliciously assert, in the presence and 

hearing of said member and others, that Lodge, Ko. 

was not a just and duly constituted Lodge of Free 

and Accepted Masons, and that said accused did fal-ely 
and maliciously prefer false and unfounded char es of 
unmasonic conduct against one A. B., also a member of 
the Lodge, which he totally failed to sustain. 

A Commission, consisting of three members, was ap- 
pointed to try the accused, and proceeded with the 
trial. 

The counsel for the accused objected to the competency 
of one of the Commissioners, on the giound of bias against 
h m, and on the further ground that such Commissioner 
is a witness for him, and of another, on the ground that 
he also is a witness for him. 

The master of the Lodge acted as trier, and overruled 
the challenge as to the first Commissioner, to which coun- 
sel excepted, and as the decision covered the challenge to 
the other Commissioner, it was not tried. 

An answer to the charge was riled, and, without denying 



COMMISSION OF APPEALS REPORTS. ]33 

the complaint, alleges that it does not present sufficient 
facts to constitute a Masonic offence. A motion was made 
to dismiss the specifications, on the ground set forth in 
the answer, which was denied and an exception duly 
taken. 

The trial proceeded, and a report was made, in which 
the charge in the first and second specifications was sus- 
tained, and the accused declared guilty thereof, and not 
guilty ot the third and last specification, and the penalty 
of expulsion recommended: and that the accused bead- 
judged to pay the sum of twenty-five dollars and seventy- 
five cents as expenses of the trial. One of the Com- 
missioners dissented from the recommendation of the 
penalty of expulsion, and proposed instead thereof a sen- 
tence of suspension for eighteen months. 

The Lodge at its regular "Communication, held on the 
same day, adopted the report signed by the majority of 
the Commissioners, expelled the brother, and adjudged 
him to pay the amount reported as the expenses of rhe 
trial. 

From this judgment the expelled brother appealed to the 
M. •. W.\, the Grand Master, and based his appeal on seme 
twenty-six grounds, in which are raised many questions 
which are at once difficult, delicate and important. 

From the decision of the Grand Master, it is evident that 
he bestowed unusual labor and care in the examination cf 
the appeal, and appreciated the character of the duty 
devolved upon him. 

The Grand Master filed his decision, in which the action 
of the Lodge was affirmed, as to the conviction, but modi- 
fied and commuted the sentence to suspension for five 
months. 



134 GRAND LODGE. 

- The appellant appealed from such decision to the Grand 
Lodge. 

A careful examination has been given to this appeal, 
and all the questions involved have received earnest and 
due consideration, and the Commission entirely concurs 
with the Grand Master in his findings; that the Com- 
missioners on the trial gravely erred in excluding much 
of the testimony sought to be introduced by the accused, 
, and which was manifestly relevant and pertinent, and also 
in permitting a statement of two of their number to be 
appended to the record of the trial, as evidence, upon 
which their cross-examination by the accused was denied, 
which was in violation of his well settled right in that 
respect, and in admitting improper evidence against the 
accused. 

" It is undoubtedly the duty of the reviewing ofScer to 
pay great respect to he recommendations of Com- 
missioners, made after a careful hearing and consideration 
of testimony, as well as to the action of a Lodge sustaining 
those recommendations; and while I earnestly deprecate 
the action of a brother in serving on a Commission, whose 
prejudices or interest in the issue of a case is called in 
question, I do not find sufficient evidence in the record 
entirely to set aside the action of the Lodge." 

The above language of the Grand Master justly charac- 
terizes the proceedings on this trial, and shows the want 
of the observance of many of the safeguards which the law 
has benignly furnished for the protection of the accused, 
with a view to a fair and impartial trial, and before an un- 
exceptional tribunal. 

The Commission in examining this appeal has laid aside 



OOMMISISON OF APPEALS REPORTS. 135 

all that is merely trivial, frivolous or technical, and which 
does not affect the real controversy between the accused 
and the Lodge — and considered matters ot substance and 
forming the res gestae — and reached the conclusion that 
the appeal should be dismissed, and the judgment against 
the accused for the sum of $25.75 be reversed, upon the 
errors assigned, because they have worked so much 
apparent prejudice to the rights of the accused. 

Again, the Commission is of the opinion that the 
decision upon the merits is not sustained by the testimony, 
even if the charge as laid constitutes a Masonic offence. 
The real charge is, that the accused gave Such advice to a 
fellow member of the Lodge as to deter him from proposing 
candidates for initiation and membership, to wit. : "that 
they would be rejected," while the testimony introduced 
seemed rather an attempt to convict him as the person who 
would prevent the acceptance of such candidates. 

The Commission is also o' opinion that the objection 
originally raised is invalid, namely: that the subject mat- 
ter of the first and second specifications do not charge the 
commission of any offence which is, in the Statutes or 
Codes, denominated a Masonic offence. 

If such language be employed by a Mason it is highly 
reprehensible, and not to be countenanced, but on the 
other hand, severely deprecated, and this Commisson now, 
as always, places the seal of its condemnation upon it. 

The Commission is therefore of the opinion that the 
action of the Lodge, in its conviction and sentence of the 
accused, should be set aside and reversed, and that its 
judgment against him for $25.75 should be vacated, and 



136 



GRAND LODGE. 



recommend the adoption of a resolution in accordance 
therewith. 

The Commission has further to submit, that said 
Lodge, in this case also, appealed from so much of the 
decision of the Grand Master as orders the commutation 
of the sentence of expulsion of the Lodge to suspension 
for five months, on the ground of want of power in the 
Grand Master to modify, or commute such sentence. 

The question raised by this appeal, the Commission does 
not feel called upon to determine, or present to the Grand 
Lodge at this time, and it is recommended that the resolu- 
tion dismissing said appeal should be adopted. 

[p. 234. Transactions 1875. 

CASE II. 1875. 

The appellant was charged with having stated to a candi- 
date who had been recently accepted, and before he had 
been initiated, " that the Lodge and its members were a 
perfect set of shysters," and advised him to ha -e noihing 
to do with them, and "not to join said Lodge, nor take 
the degrees therein." 

The appellant was also charged with having, in a written 
complaint before a Justice of the Pea^e, against a member 
of said Lodge, in which complaint he committed perjury, 
in falsely swearing that Raid member had threatened to 
beat and woundhim (the accused), and at the same time 
holding a raised pitchfork in a menacing and threatening 
manner. 

The appellant is further charged with having upon the 
same day, and in the above recited proceedings, committed 
another perjury, in that he falsely swoie that the said 



COMMISSION OF APPEALS EEPOBT3. 137 

member came upon the public highway and stopped the 
accused, as he was passing along the same,* and caught 
the horse he was driving by the bit, and on the accused 
starting up his horse, said member loosinghis hold, raised 
a pitchfork and threatened violence and personal injury to 
the accused. 

The Commission of Appeals do not find error in the 
proceedings, either before the Commissioners or in the 
Lo -ge. 

It is simply a question of fact, and the evidence in the 
case fully sustains the charge of perjury, and the Lodge 
were justified in inflicting the penalty of expulsion, and 
the judgment should be afnimed. 

[p. 236. Transactions 1875.' 

CASE III. 1875. 

The appellant was charged with having threatened in 
the presence of Masons, as well as profanes, that he would 
break up a certain Lodge, that he would establish a clan- 
destine Lodge in his town in conjunction with profanes; 
thai he applied to the Master of the Lodge mo t profane 
and scurrilous epithets, and tha* he unlawfully disci sed 
the affairs of his said Lodge in public places. 

The accused was tried before a commission appointed by 
the Lodge and found cuilty of each and every of above- 
named charges, and the Lodge pronounced the penalty, 
expulsion. 

The Commissioners of Appeals are of the opinion that 
such decision was fully warranted by the evidence given 
on the trial, especially in support of the fourth and sixth 



138 GEAND LODGE. 

specifications of said charge,- and the penalty imposed by 
the Lodge was proper and just. 

The Commission of the Lodge clearly erred in depriving 
the accused of the benefit of counsel, on the ground that 
the counsel was a non-affiliated Mason, yet in view of the 
aggravated character of the offence committed, raid his 
proceeding with the trial, the Commission of Appeals 
believe that the judgment of the Lodge shonld.be affirmed, 
[p. 237. Transactions 1875. 

CASE IV. 1875. 

Bro. K. was charged with contumacious and unmasonic 
conduct, first by endeavoring to prevent the Lodge from 
being opened en the occasion of a regular Communication, 
by soliciting the members to remain out of the Lodge 
room, and thus prevent the requisite number being pre- 
sent to enable the Master to open the Lodge ; second, by 
contumacious conduct to the Master of the Lodge, by re- 
fusing three times to obey a proper order of the Master, 
a nd said refusals being made in a disco- rteous and insult- 
ing manner ; third, by uttering abusive, improper and 
unmasonic language regarding the Master of the Lodge ; 
and fourth, by using vile and abusive language regarding 
a deceased clergyman and chaplain of the Lodge. 

The trial was had and the accused was found guilty. 
The Ledge adjudged the penalty to be suspension for two 
years, and assessed the expenses of the "rial at forty-three 
dollars, and required the accused to pay them. 

From this decision of the Lodge the accused brought an 
appeal to the Grand Master, who decided that there had 
been no error in the proceedings and affirmed the action 



COMMISSION OP APPEALS EEPOBTS. 139 

of the Lodge, except in the matter of the amount of costs 
assessed. 

The Commission of Appeals have heard long arguments 
for and against the appeal, and have examined the whole 
proceedings, as well as the decision of the Grand Master 
on the first appeal, and believe, with the Grand Master, 
that the action of the Lodge shoul I be affirmed. 

The Commission of Appeals believe that the Lodge acted 
more leniently than the offences committed warranted, and 
that exclusion from actual membership in the Lodge, 
after the expiration of the two years, would have been the 
proper penalty, but as the question of an increase of pun- 
ishment inflicted alter, and upon a review of the case on 
appeal by the Grand Lodge, is one of doubt in the minds 
of the members of ihe Commission of Appeals ; they mike 
no recommendation on the subject, but unanimously re- 
commend that the action of the Lodge be in all respects 
approved, as modified by the Grand Master regarding the 
costs assessed, and a resolution acco dingly is herewith 
submitted. 

That the proceedings had in the matter of .he trial of 
Bro. K. for unmasonic conduct, be, and the Fame are 
hereby approved, and that the expenses assessed by the 
Commission appointed to try the case be reduced to 
eighteen dollars. 

[p. 238. Transactions 1875. 

CASE V. 1875. 

The Commission of Appeals having duly considered the 
papers, proceedings and evidence submitted to them in 
the matter of the appeal of Bro. Z. F., from the action of 



141) GRAND LODGE. 

Lodge No. — , in adopting \he report of the Commission- 
ers, acquitting Bro. K. of the charge of unmasonic con- 
duct, in having declared that he knew said Bro. E. F. had 
blackballed candidates in said Lodge reported. The tes- 
timony of two witnesses, on the part, of the prosecutioo, 
filly sustain the specification. That of Miother witness 
on the part of the prosecution, shows no more than that 
the accused said " to the best of Iris knowledge and belief" 
the accuser and another member of said Lodge, had re- 
jected candidates therein. 

The accused was the only witness on his own behalf, 
and by his testimony fuTy denied the saying s t out in 
the specification and attributed to him by the witnesses, 
Boss and the accuser. 

The Commission are of the opinion that the Lodge erred 
in not convicting t^e accused of the charge, but the Com- 
mission, regarding it a question of fact, t.f which the Com- 
missioners appointed to try the case were ;he best judges, 
and deeming it unwise to order a new trial, recommend 
as the better disposition of the case to dismiss the appeal, 
[p. 238. Transactions 1875. 

CASE VI. 1875. 

The Commission of Appeals having duly considered the 
appeal taken by Bro. J. B oi Lodge No. — , F. A. M., from 
the action of the Commissioners appointed in the case of 
the charges preferred by him against a W. P. M. of another 
Lodge, and an honorary member of the Lodge aforesaid, 
reported thereon : 

That they find the case involved in great doubt, and 



COMMISSION OF APPEALS REPORTS. Ill 

have only reached their conclusions therein after much 
difficulty. 

The accused, in this case, was charged with having used 
at a Communication of Lodge No. — , certain unmasonic 
language with reference to Bro. B., and subsequently, on 
the same evening in the Lodge room, after the Communi- 
cation had closed, other Janguage of like character having 
reference to Bro. B. 

The utterance of the expressions set forth in the speci- 
fications annexed to the charges was admitted by the an- 
swer of the accused, who pleaded, in extenuation of the 
charge, certain mitigating circumstances, and claimed 
that he had offered to the Lodge an ample apology for the 
offence and was willing to ex:end the same to Bro. B. 
The trial of the charges was referred by a D. D. Grand 
Master, under section 58 of the Constitution, to a Com- 
mittee consisting of five Worshipful Past Masters. 

Upon the trial it appeared to the satisfaction of the 
Commissioners that the accused had uttered the offensive 
words while in the heat of passion, and without deliber- 
ate maiace. It also appeared that the apology offered by 
the accused to the Lodge was a sufficient one, and that he 
was willing to make to Bro. B. the like apology. It also 
appeare 1 that the Lodge had struck the name of the ac- 
cused from its roll as an honorary member thereon : 

In view of these facts the Commissioners, whilst saying 
they found the accused guilty of a Masonic offence in the 
use of the words contained in specifications, deemed the 
punishment which Franklin Lodge had inflicted upon 
said accused by striking his name from its roll of honorary 
members, and the fact of the apology made by the accused 



142 GEAND LODGE. 

in open Lodge, and the tender of apology to Bro. B. suf- 
ficient to justify them in the dismissal of the charges with- 
out the imposition of any punishment upon Bro. Cohen, 
which conclusion they have embodied in their report. 

The Gommissiontrs of Appeals cannot lose sight of the 
incongruity in the action of the Commission in finding 
the accused guilty of the offence charged, and then dis- 
missing the complaint. Some penalty should have been 
inflicted. 

The Commission therefore recommends the following 
resolution : 

Resolved, That the accused be hereby ordered to make 
such apology and reparation to Bro. B. as shall be ap- 
proved by the B.\ YV. •. D. D. G. M. of the District, 

[p. 239. Transactions 1875. 

CASE VII. 1875. 

The Commission of Appeals in the matter of the appeal 

of Bro. R., from the decision of Lodge, No. , by 

which he was suspended for one year, and adjudged to pay 
the sum of ($11) eleven doling, reported : That the said 
K. was charged with having given to a Brother a printed 
book containing what purported to be the ritual of Free- 
masonry, and saying that it contained all of the work and 
ritual of Freemasonry, and that he could learn from it all 
he wanted to in reference thereto. 

He w r as further charged with h ving said, on one 
occasion, that the members of said Lodge were a set of 
' ' beats and thieves," and for that reason he would not allow 
a friend of his to join said Lodge. 



COMMISSION OF APPEALS EEPOBTS. 143 

Upon the charge? the Lodg. proceeded to trial, found R. 
guilty and decl red the punishment above-named. 

From ihis action Bro. R. brings his appeal to the Grand 
Lodge, and has complied with all the requirements of our 
Code of Procedure, by giving notice of appeal to the 
Lodge, and by filing his appeal with the Grand Secretary. 

The Lodge, however, has refused or at least neglected to 
send to the Grand Secretary the record of the proceedings 
in the case, and the Commission of Appeals have failed to 
obtain any information ot an official character which will 
lead to a correct examination of the incidents of the 
trial. 

The Commission of Appeals have given due consideration 
to all the grounds of appeal and believe them to be well 
taken and that all the relief prayed for by Bro. R. should 
be granted. 

The Commission of Appeals are unanimously of the 
opinion that the said Lodge has shown a manifest dis- 
position to deal unjustly and unmasonically with Bro. R., 
and in view of the fact, that the said Lodge has utterly 
neglected to comply with the plain provisions of the Code 
in respect to furnishing the report of the proceedings in 
the trial of Bro. R., to the Commission of Appeals for its 
examination, the Commission of Appeals recommend that 
the proceedings of the trial in the case of Bro. R. bi ren- 
dered null and void. 

[p. 240, Transactions 1875.] 

CASE I. 1876. 

Case and Exceptions weee not Furnished. 
In the judgment of the Commission, it is prop r to sug- 



141 GRAND LODGE. 

gest to the Fraternity throughout -he Jtirisdictio v , that if 
the provisions oft e 26, h article of the Stat tes touching 
trials and appeals, and the rules and formula prescribed 
in the Code of Procedure for their conduct, were better 
understood and more closely followed by Lodges and 
parties litigating, much time and labor would be saved, 
and a correct decision more expeditiously reached. 

In many instances it seems to be the impression that the 
Commission will entertain statements upon the argument 
to supply defects of form, regularity and substance in the 
papers, while it should be well known that the Commission 
must confine itself on the bearing to, nnd base it^ decision 
upon, the record as made up and filed. 

[p. 104 Transactions 1876. 

CASE K 1876. 

Where a Lodge fails t > sentence a Brother after con- 
viction of an offence, the proceedings, on appe 1, wil be 
remitted to said Lodge, that it may proceed to judgment 
in the case. 

When the Grand Lodge is exercising its appellate func- 
tion, in the hearing of a Masonic appeal, it is purely and 
simply a judicial body, a Masonic court of appeals, of 
ultimate resort, and every duly accredited representative 
to it is performing, in the consideration of the case before 
it, an independent judicial act in determining it ; and the 
judgment of the Court upon the appeal before it becomes 
the law of the case, and of the jurisdiction. 

The office of an appeal is to bring before such tribunal for 
review and correction any errors of fact or of law, which 
are by the record assigned and alleged to have been com- 



COMMISSION OF .V ^PEALS EEPOST i. 112 

mitted by the subordinate Lodge in ilr.j trial, and rom 
whose judgment the appeal is taken, so that justice may be 
done to all parties. 

The Grand Lod ,e has in its Cjde prescribed that a 
Masonic trial should be condu<"<<<, j. in all respects, as near 
as may be, like the trial of an a jtion at law in a Court of 
Record, and be governed by -he same general rules, and 
by the 75th Section of it? Statutes declared, that all 
a peals taken in pursuance of the provisions of the Consti- 
tution and Statutes shall be conducted, as far as the same 
in y be applicable, in accordance with such rules and 
forms as maybe adopted by it. 

Now " the Court ol Appeals is a court of last resort in 
this State, of exclusive appellate jurisdiction ; and it may 
reverse, affirm or modify the judgment appealed from in 
whole, or in part, and as to a y, or all of the parties; and 
its judgment "shall be remitted to the court below to be 
enforced according to law." 

If appeals before the Grand Lodge, sitti. g as an appel- 
late judicial body, are to be conducted in all respects, as 
near as may be, like the same proceeding at law, or in 
equity in a Court of Record, then this body has, in virtue 
( f its fundamental law, the right to reverse, affirm, or 
modify any judgment or proceeding in appeal brought up 
before it for review, and to remit its judgment to the 
Lodge below to be carried into effect. 

An accused party was reported guilty upon a trial of the 
charge and specifications contained in the complaint 
against him, and he Lodge adopted the judgment of the 
tribunal trying him and then ialled or neglected in its 
manifest duty to enforce such judgment, or pass such sen- 



146 GEAND LODGE. 

tence upon hirn, as it might deem appropriate, while he 
stood convicted before it of an offence against both the 
nigral and Masonic Code. From the j idgment of the sub- 
ordinate body an appeal is taken to this Court, by one of 
the parties, which must either reverse, affirm, or modify 
such judgment. If the appellate reverse, the accused party 
will remain, as now, in full membership and in good and 
regul r standing in his Lodge, and be entitle i to continue 
to receive and participate in all the rights and privileges 
of Masonry, if it affirm, he will not be entitled to any of 
such rights and privileges (?Ed.); and to vi dicate its own 
authority, make potent and effective its decision and sup- 
port its own dignity, it should either remit the whole case 
to the subordinate Lodge, to take such action thereon as 
it might determine would be just and proper in the 
premises. 

There must be an inherent power, as there is a c nsti- 
tmional right, vested in the Grand Lodge, as the highest 
judicial authori y in the jurisdiction over the acts and 
proceedings of Subordinate Lodges in their disciplinary 
powers aid functions, to compel them by appropriate 
proceedings in the nature of mandamus if necessary, to 
obse ve andobeythe law which alike creates and comrols 
them as courts and bodies of subordinate judicial Masonic 
authority; and to contravene a-ny assumed prerogative in 
setiing up a standard of morals, conduct, or practice for 
itself or its meviibers, which is not in accord or harmony 
with the established masonic moral, or civil standards and 
tests. 

And while ihe Commission would not recommend any 
vigorous or unusual course with respect to the dealings 



COMMISSION OF APPEALS KEFOl.TS. 147 

of the Grand Lodge with the Lodges under its jurisdiction, 
still it does not hesitate to declare the power and duty of 
the Grand Lodge in the p:emises whenever the occasion 
demands its exercise. 

All that is offensive to good morals, all that is violative 
of the laws of the land, all that militates against the peace 
and security of a well-regulated social policy, and all that 
pollutes the temple of the liv.ng God should fearlessly 
receive the impress of the seal of Masonic condemnation, 
[p. 105. Transactions 1876. 

CASES III. and IV. 1876. 

That of which complaint was made pga'nst the acused 
was the deception practiced, by the alleged representations, 
upon the credulity given to and confidence reposed in 
them and. him, by means of which they obtained moneys 
and securities for the use and benefit of the firm and 
themselves from brethren; whereby they have been dam- 
nified, and the Fraternity injured in the house of its 
friends. 

Action of Lodge sustained ; appeals dismissed. 

[pp. 107, 108. Transactions 1875. 

CASE V. 1876. 

In this case the appeal was sustained on the ground 
that evidence in the record of the Trial Commission did 
not support or sustain the charge against the accused, 
[p. 109. Transactions 1870. 



Kcts of Incorporation. 



Act to Incorporate the Trustees of the Masonic 
Hall and Asylum Fund. 

Chapter 272. 

An Act to Incorporate the " Trustees of the Masonic Rail and 
Asylum Fund. ' ' 

PASSED APEIL 21, 1864. 

The People of the State of New York represe nted in the Senate 
and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

Section 1. The voluntary apsociation now existing and 
known as the " Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum 
Fund," and composed of the Grand Master, Deputy 
Grand Master, Senior Graud Warden, Junior Grand 
Warden, and Grand Secretary of the association known as 
the "Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and 
Accepted Masons of the State of New York," and their 
successors holding said offices, is hereby created a body 
politic and corporate, with all the peneral powers of cor- 
porations under the Eevised Statutes of the State of New 
York, by and under the name of the " Trustees of the 
Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund." 



ACTS OF INCOEPOEATION. 149 

Sec. 2. The corporation hereby created shall consist of 
the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand 
Warden, Junior Grand Warden and Grand Secretary, for 
the time being, of the said Fraternity of Free and Accepted 
Masons, and their successors in office, as they shall from 
time to time be elected at the General Assembly or Grand 
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New . 
York, in accordance with the rules and customs thereof. 

Sec. 3. The corporation hereby created is hereby author- 
ized and empowered to take and hold real and personal es- 
tate, by gift, purchase, legacy, or devise, to an amount not 
excee ing five hundred thousand dollars, for the purposes 
of its corporation, subject to the limitations now pre- 
scribed by law. 

Sec. 4. It shall be the object of the corporation hereby 
created to bniid and maintain a Masonic Hall in the city of 
New York, for the meetings of the Grand Lodge or General 
Assembly of Masons, and for the accommodation of other 
Masonic bodies or associations; and out of the funds 
derived from the rent or income thereof, or other sources, 
to build, establish, and maintain an asylum or asylums, 
school or schools, for the free education of the children of 
Masons, and for the relief of worthy and indigent Masons, 
their widows and orphans. 

Sec. 5. The corporation hereby created is empowered 
to adopt regulations and by-laws, and appoint officers for 
the better accompl shment of the objects herein men- 
tioned. 

Sec. 6. The c aid corporation shall annually report to 
the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons, the 



150 ACTS OF INCORPORATION. 

amount condition, and investment of the fund in its 
hands, and all other matters and things relating to the 
concerns of the corparation. 

Sec. 7. The Said corporation shall be subject to the 
restrictions and liabilities prescribed in the third title o( 
the eighteenth chapter, of the first part of the He vised 
Statutes. 

Sec. 8. This act shall take effect immediately. 

State of New York, 
Office of the Secretary of State. 

I have compared the preceding with the original hiw on 
file in this office, and do hereby certify that the same is a 
correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of said 
original law. 

Given under my hand and seal of office, at the city of 
Albany, this 22d day of April, in the year one thousand 
eight hundred and sixty-four. 

CHAUNCEY M. DEPEW, 
[l . s .] Secretary of Sta e . 



AN ACT to amend an act etitied " An act to incorporate 
the trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund," 
passed April twenty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty- 
four. 

Passed May 14 1873. 

The People of the State of New York, represented m Servile 
and A ssembly, do enact as follows : 

Section 1. The third section of chapter two hundred 



ACTS or EffOOJUPOllATION. 15] 

and seventy-two, of the Laws of eighteen hundred and 
sixty-four, bein'g an net entitl d " An act to incorporate 
the Trustees oi' the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, 1 ' 
passed April twentj^-ni sr, eighteen hundred and six y-four, 
is hereby amended so as to read as follows: 

§3. The corpora ion hereby created is hereby author- 
ized and empowered to take and hold real and personal 
estate, by gilt, purchase, legacy, devise or otherwise, to 
an amount not exceeding in value two millions of dollars, 
lor the purposes of its corporation, subject to the limita- 
tions now prescribed by law. 

§ 2. The said corporation, for the purpose (£ complet- 
ing the Masonic Kail in the city of New York, and oi 
erecting and completing ^uch other building or buildings 
as a majority of such tr .stees may deem necessary and 
proper, for the use of the said corporation, and to carry into 
eff ct its ooje.'ts, is hereby authorized aud empowered to 
issue its bonds of denominations of one thousand dollars 
and live hundred dollars each, payable on the fifteenth 
day of September, eighteen hundred and ninety-one, with 
interest at and after the rate of seven per cent, per annum, 
payable semi annually, under the seal of the said corpor- 
ation, and signed by its president and secretary, not ex- 
ceeding in gross amount the sum of one-half of the fair 
market value of the real estate of the said corporation, lo- 
cated on the corner of Sixth avenue and Twenty- third 
street, in the city of New York, and known as the Ma- 
sonic Hall, to be determined by three appraisers, to be de- 
signated by the superintendent of the banking depar - 
ment. The amount for which said bonds are to be issued 



±^4 ACTS Or INCORPORATION. 

to be determined by resolution of the board of trustees, 
duly entered upon the minutes of the proceedings of said 
board. The said bonds may be made payable to bearer 
or to order ; and shall have interest coupons attached 
thereto ; and to secure the full and prompt payment at 
maturity of the principal sum for which said bonds shall 
be issued, and the semi-annual interest th6reon, as the 
same from tim-"i to time accrue, the said corporation is 
hereby authorized and empowered to deliver to one or 
more trustees in trust for the benefit of the holders of 
said bonds, a mortgage on the whole of the real estate afore- 
said now owned hj such corporation ; whi ch mortgage shall 
con ain all necessar} r prov sions to facilitate the collection 
of the several amounts for which said bonds shall be given 
and the interest to accrue thereon, hy loreclosure, by ad- 
advertisemeut, or otherwise, and shall be duly acknow- 
ledged and duly recorded in the county wherein the lands 
therein described are situated. A.ud as a farther and addi- 
tional security for the payment, at maturity, of said prin- 
cipal sum for which said bonds shad be issued, and of 
said bonds, the said corporation shall insure and keep in- 
sured, in responsible insuranc i companies, all buildings 
situated upon the property aforesaid, to an amount equal 
to at least one-half the lair value of such buildings, which 
'said policies shall be transferred to and owned by the 
trustee or trustees aforesaid, to and for the benefit of the 
owners of any bonds issued under the p ovisions ot this 
act. And when such mortgage shah have been executed 
hy affixing thereto the seal of said corporation, and sign- 
ing thereto the names ot the president and secretary of 
such board of trustees, and shah have been acknowledged 

i 



ACTS OF INXOEPOEATION. 155 

.and recorded as aforesaid, and said property shall have 
been insured as aforesaid, it shall and may be lawful for 
any savings bank, or institution incorporated under the 
laws of the State of New York, to purchase the bonds au- 
thorized by this act, and to invest the funds in the same, 
anything in the act incorporating such savings bank or 
institution to the contrary thereof notwithstanding, but 
not to exceed ten per cent, of the assets of fcaid corpora- 
tion shall be invested in said bonds. 



§ 3. The said board of trustees are hereby authorized 
and empowered to rent such part or parts of said Masonic 
Hall, now being erected by them, on the corner of Sixth 
avenue and Twenty-third street, in the City of New York, 
and such part or parts of any other building or buildings 
erected or to be erected and owned by such corporation, 
as in their judgment shall not be required for actual use 
and occupancy for Masonic objects and purposes, to such 
individuals or corporations, as they may select, for mer- 
cantile and other uses and purposes, and to sue for, re- 
cover and collect the rents from time to time accruing, 
thereon, and to use and appropriate the funds to be de- 
rived from such renting, tor the benevolent, educational 
and charitable purposes mentioned and provided in said 
act hereby amended. 

§ 4. All acts or parts of acts, and all laws of the State 
of New York inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed. 

§ 5. This act shall take effect imme iately. 



151 acts of incorporation. 

State of New York. [ 

Office of the Secretary of State, \ ss ' 

I have compared the preceding with the original law on 
file in this office, and do hereby certify that the sime is -a 
correct transcript therefrom and oi the whole oi said ori- 
ginal law. 

G. HILTON SCRIBNER, 

Secretary oi State. 



AN ACT to amend chapter two hundred and seventy-twc 
oi the laws ot eighteen hundred and sixty-low, en- 
titled "An act to incorporate the trustees oi the Ma- 
sonic hall and asylum fund," passed April twenty- 
first, eighteen hundred and sixty-four. 

Passed May, 1877. 
The People of the State of New York, representee m 
Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : 

Section 1. Section two of chapter two hundred and 
seventy-two of the laws of eighteen hundred and sixty- 
four, entitled '-An act to incorporate the trustees oi the 
Masonic hall and asylum fund." passed April twenty-one 
eighteen hunched and sixty-four, is hereby amended so as 
to read as follows : 

§ 2. The corporation hereby created shah consist oi 
three persons, who shall be members of lodges under the 
authority and jurisdict on of the grand lodge of free and 
accepted masons ol the State ot New York, and who &uall 
be residents oi this State, to oe elected at the nrsi annual 
communication oi the said grand lodge alter the passage 



ACTS OF INCOIIPOBATI N. 155 

of this act ; provided, however, that no officer of the 
grand lodge .shall be eligible to the office of trustee, and 
tLat any trustee accepting office in the grand lodge shall 
thereby vacate his office as trustee. At the first annual 
communication ot the grand lodge after the passage of 
this act, the three trustees so elected shall designate, by 
lot, in the presence of the grand master, their respective 
terns of office, to wit : one of said trustees shall be desig- 
nated to serve for the period of one year, one to serve for 
the peiiod of two years, and one to serve for the period 
of three years ; and annually thereafter, at the annual 
communication of the grand lodge one trustee shall be 
elected whose term of office shall be for the period of 
three years i'.om the date of his election ; and should a 
vacancy occur in the office of ihe trustee at an annual com- 
munication of the >aid grand Lodge from any cause other 
than the expiration of the term of office of said tru-tee, 
said vacancy shall be filled, by election, for the unex- 
pired term at said annual communication. If any such 
trustee shall cease to be a resident of the State ot New 
York or shall cease to be a member of a lodge under the 
jurisdiction of the grand lodge as aforesaid, his place, as 
such trustee, shall be declared vacant by the grandmaster. 
In case any vacancy in the office of trustee shall occur 
during the time intervening between the annual commu- 
nications of the grand lodge, the grand master shall fill 
such vacancy by appointment of a person qualified as 
aforesaid, and the person so appointed shall serve as trus- 
tee until the next succeeding annual communication of 
the grand lodge, when such vacancy shall i>e filled, by elec- 
tion, for the unexpired term. The said bqara o- trustees 



15.3 ACTS OF INCORPORATION. 

shall select one of its number as president, one as treas- 
urer, and one as secretary, and shall make a lull and de- 
tailed report of all its doings at each annual communi- 
cation of the grand lodge. 

§ 3. All acts or parts of acts, and all laws of the State of 
New York inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed. 

§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately. 



ACT EVABLINGLODGES TO BE INCORPORATED, 

An Act to enable L dges and Chapters of Free and 

Accepted Masons to take, hold, and convey Real 

and Personal Estate. Passed April 2, 1866. 

The People of the State of New Yor.c, represented in 
Senate and Assembly, do euact as follows : 

§ 1. V/henever any Lodge or Chapter of Free and 
Accepted Masons which is or hereafter may be duly char- 
tered by an 1 installed according to the general rales and 
regulations of the Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter of Free 
and Accepted Masons ot the State of New York, shall be 
desirous of having the benefit of this act, it shall and may 
be lawful for such Lodge or Chapter, at any regular Com- 
munication or Convocation thereof, held in aceordau.ee 
with the Constitution and General Regulations of the 
Grand Lodge or Chapter aforesaid, and in conformity to 
its own By-Laws, to elect three trustees for such Lodge or 
Chapt r, for the purpose af.res.dd, a ceifcifijate of wmch 



ACTS OF INCORPORATION. 157 

election and purpose shall be made and subscribed by 
the first three elective officers of such L >dge or Chapter, 
under their hands, and .stating therein the time and place 
of such election, the regularity thereof, the names of said 
trustees and the terms severally for which they are allotted 
to serve, and the name of the Lodge or Chapter for which 
they are elected. The execution of such certificate shall 
be acknowledged or proved before some officer authorized 
to take the acknowledgment of deeds, who shall indorse 
thereon a certificate of snfch acknowledgment, under his 
hand, and the same shall then be filed in the office of the 
Secretary of State. Such trustees and their successors 
shall thereupon be and b come entitled to all the benefits, 
rights and privileges granted by this act, and for the use 
and behoo of said Lodge or Chapter, and a copy of said 
certificate, certified by the Secretary of State, or his 
deputy, shall be evidence of the right of said trustees to 
exercise all the rights and privileges conferred by this 
act ; and said trustees shall thereupon be authorized to 
take and h -Id and convey real and persoual estate, ior the 
charitable purposes of said Lodge or Chapter, not exceed- 
ing the clear annual value often thousand dollars, 

§ 2. The persons so first elected trustees shall bs divided 
by lot by said officers making said certificate, so that the 
term of one shall expire on the day of the festival of St. 
John the Evangelist next thereafter, and another in one 
year, and the third in two years thereafter. One trustee 
shall annually thereafter, prior to the expiration oi the 
terms of Office of said trustees and their successors, be 
elected by said Lodge of Chapter by ballot, in the same 



15S ACTS OF INCOKPOEATION. 

manner and at the same time as the first three officers there- 
of severally are or shall be elected according to the Consti- 
tution, By-Laws, and General Regulations aforesaid, and 
a certificate of said election, nnd.jr the hands of said 
officers and the seal of said Lodge or Chapter, if they have 
one. shall be made and shall be evidence of said election, 
and entitle said person so elected to act as trustee. Said 
L.dge or Chapter may, at any regular Communication or 
Convocation, fill any vacancy that may have accurred in 
said board of trustees, to be certified in like manner and 
with like effect as at an annual election. The person so 
elected shall hold his office for and during the term oi the 
trustee whose place he was elected to fill. 

§ 3. If any person so elected trustee shall die, resign, 
dimit, or be suspended or expelled from said Lodge or 
Chapter, remove from the State, or become insane, or 
otherwise incapacitated for performing the duties of said 
trust, his office as trustee shall therefor be deemed vacant, 
and said Lodge or Chapter may thereafter, at any regular 
meeting, fill such vacancy, in the manner and with the 
effect stated in the last section. 

§ 4. The trustees of any such Lodge or Chapter, and 
their successors, shall be and are hereby authorized 10 
take, hold, and convey, by and under the direction of said 
Lodge or Chapter, and lor the use and benefit ' ■ hereof, all 
the temporalities and property belonging thereto, whether 
consisting of real or personal estate ana whether the same 
shall have been given, granted, or devised directly to such 
Lodge or Chapter or to any person or persons for their use 
or in trust for them or their benefit, and also in their in- 



ACTS OF INCORPORATION. 150 

dividual names, with the addition of their title of trustees 
aforesaid, to sue and be sued in all courts and places 
having jurisdiction, and to recover, Lo.d, and enjoy, in 
trust, and subject as .aforesaid, all the debts, demands, 
rights, and privileges, and all Masonic halls, with the ap- 
purtenances, and all other estate and property b -longing 
to such Lodges and Chapters in whatsoever manner the 
same have been acquired, or in name soever the same may 
be held, as fully and amply as if the right or title thereto 
had originally been ve-ted in sa d trustees, and also to 
purchase and hold for the purposes and subject as aforesaid 
other real and personal estate, and to demise, lease, and 
improve the same; and such Lodge or Chapter shall have 
power to make rules and regulation, not inconsisfcanfc with 
the laws of this State nor contrary to the Constitution or 
General Regulations of the Grand Body to which it shall 
be subordinate, for managing the temporal affairs of such 
Lodge or Chapter, and to dispose of its property and all 
other temporal concerns and revenue there A, and the 
Secretary and Treasurer of such Lodge or Chapter, duly 
elected aud installed accordiug to the Constitution and 
General Regulations aforesaid, shall, for the time being, be 
ex officio the Secretary and Treasure: oi said trustees. 

§ 5. Nothing in this act contained shall be construed or 
taken to give to such trustees of any Lodge or Chapter, the 
power to purchase, sell, convey, or dispose of any property 
real or personal, of such Lodge or Chapter, nor shall they 
have such power exoept by and under the direction of 
such Lodge or Chapter, duly had at a regular or stated 
Communication or Convocation thereof, according to the 



1G0 ACTS OF INCORPORATION. 

Const ituti n and General Regulations aforesaid, and said 
trustees .shall at all times obey and abide by the directions 
orders and resolutions of said Lodge or Chapter, duly 
passed at any regular or s'ated Communication or Convo- 
cation thereof according to and not contravening the 
Constitution an 1 Laws of this State, or of the Grand Body 
t ' which it shall be subordinate, or of the Lodge or Chap- 
ter aforesaid. Provided, that in case said Lodge or Chap- 
ter shall surrender it 4 warrant to the Grand Body to 
which the same shall bs subordinate, as aforesaid, or 
shall be expelled or become extinct, according to the Con- 
stitution, and General Regulations 8 foresaid, it shall be 
the duty of said trust es then in office, out of the property 
aforesaid, to satisfy all just debts due fro a said Lodge or 
Chapter, and the residue of said property shall be trans- 
ferred to the u Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum 
Fund," a corporation created by an act entitled "An Act 
to incorporate the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asy- 
lum fund," passed April 21, 1864, and unless reclaimed, 
by said Lodge or Chapter within three years after said 
transfer in accordance with the Constitution and General 
Regulations aforesaid, the same with the avails or increase 
thereof, shall be applied by said trustees last mentioned 
to the benevolent purposes for which said trustees were 
created in and by said act. 

§ 6. It shall and may be lawful for any Lodge or Chap- 
ter, or the trustees or officers thereof, under the direction 
of such Lodge or Chapter, heretofore incorporated by the 
laws of the State or thereby enabled to take and hoVd real 
or personal estate or both, to surrender such act of incor- 



ACTS OF INCORPORATION. 161 

y oration, charter or privilege, and o be enabled to take 
and hold property, with all the rights and .subject to all 
the provisions of this act, on making and filing the cer- 
tificate in the manner specified in the first section of this 
act. and therein stating, i 1 addition to what is therein re- 
quired, tie surrender of said act, charter, or privilege, 
referring to and specifying th^ same, and 01 such certi- 
ficate being so made and filed, the Lodge or Chapter 
making and filing the same shall thereupon be deemed a3 i 
having fully surrendered such incorporation, charter, or 
right and its pr perty shall be iully vested in the trustees 
specified in said certificates, and their successors, with all 
the rights, powers, and privileges, and subj-ct to all the 
provisions o: this act. 

§ 7 Xo board of trustees for any Lodge or Chapter, 
filing the certificate aforesaid, shall be deemed to be dis- 
solved for any neglect or omission to elect a trustee annu- 
ally, or fill any vacancy or vacancies that may occur or ex- 
ist at -any time in said board; but it shall and may be law- 
ful fo said Lodge or Chapter to fill such vacancy or va- 
canci s a* any regular communication thereafter to be 
held, and till a vacancy arising Irom the expiration of the 
term of office of a trustee is filled, as aforesaid, he shall 
c ntinue to hold the said office and perform the duties 
thereof. 

§ 8. This act shall be deemed a public act and be be- 
nignly construed in all courts and places, to effectuate the 
objects thereof. 

§ 9. This act shall take effect immediately^ 



162 acts of incorporation. 

State of New York. ) 

Office of the Secretary of ISLate. j" 

I have compared the preceding with the original law on 
file in this omc , and d > hereby c r lfy fch it the same is a 
correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of said 
original law. 

FRANCIS C. BARLOW, Secretary of tilate. 



CERTIFICATE OP IXCOllPOIl.VTIOV FOR LODGES 
UMDEit ACT OF 1855. 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE 

to be used by lodges desiring to incorporate their 

trustees with the provisions of the 

above act 

State of New York, | 
Courtly of ) 

We, the undersigned, the first three elective officers of 
Lodge No of Free an I Accepted Masons, 

duly chartered by and ins railed according to the G neral 
Rales and Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons, of the State of New York, do hereby 
certify, that, at a regular communication of said Lodge, 
held at their Lodge-room in the , on the 

diy of in tne year 18 , in accordance with the Con- 

stitution and General Regulations of the Grand Lodpe 
aforesaid, and in conformity t > their By-Laws, the .said 
Lodge being desirious of having the benefits and privi- 
leges conferred by an act of the Legislature of the Siate ui 



ACTS OF INCOEPOEATION. 163 

New York, entitled, "An act to enable Lodges and Chap- 
ters of Free and Accepted Mis >ns, to Take, Hold, anl 
Convey Real and Persjnal Estate, " passed April 2, 1863, 
lid, then and there; proceed to elecc three trustees ror 
such Lodge, .or the purp) e aforesaid, aud whose terms 
of offiee were allotted by the undersigned, as prescribed 
in siid act. 

And the imaersiguea do further certify th it said elec- 
tion was regularly conducted, according to tho Constitu- 
tion and General Rules and Regulations of the said Grand 
Loage, and the By-L iws of the Lod^e aforesaid ; thit the 
names of said Trustees, and the terms, severally, tor which 
they were allotted to serve, are as follows : , 

whose term will expire on the day of the festival of ^St. 
John the Evangelist next after said election; , 

whose term will expire in one year theraffcer ; and , 

whose term will expire in two years thereafter. 

In testimony whereof, the un lersigned, the first: three 
elective officers aforesaid, and Master and Wardens of said 
Lodge, hive hereto set our hands, this day of , 

in the year 18 

Master. 

Senior Warden. 

Junior Warden. 

State of New Yoek, ) 
County of j" 

I, the undersigned, an officer duly authorized by liw to 
take the acknowledgement of deeds, do hereby certify, 
that on the day of , in the year 

18 , in the of , in the said county, be- 

fore me personally appeared , with 



164 ACTS OF INCORPOEATION. 

whom I am personally acquainted, and know to be the 
Master and Wardens, md first three elective officers ot the 
Lodge specified in the oregoino; instrument, and the per- 
sons and officers described therein, and who have sub- 
scribed the same, and who, each, then and there, sever- 
ally acknowledged the execution by them ol the loregoni, 
certificate. 



Geand and Deputy Geand Mastees of the 

GEAND LODGE OE THE STATE OF NEW YOEK 

SINCE ITS OEGANIZATION TO THE PEESEXT TIME. 



1785 
1801- 

1SC6- 
1820 

1823- 



1827- 

1830 
1S44- 
1846 



1800— Robert It. Livin; 
1805— Jacob Morton 
1819— De Witt Clinton 
1821— Daniel D. Tompkins 
1822—, Joseph Encs 
1824— M. Hoffman & J. Enos 
1825— M. Hoffman^ Stephen 

[Yan Rensselaer 
1826— E. W. King & Stephen 

[Van Rensselaer 
1S29— Steph. Van Rensselaer 
-1843— Morgan Lewis 
1815— Alex. H. Robertson 
•1S49— John D. Willard 
1850 William H. Milnor 



GEAXD MASTEES. 



ston 



1851— Oscar Coles 
1S52— Xelson Randall 
1853— Reuben K. Walworth 
1854-1855 — Joseph D. Evans 
1856-1859— John L. Lewis, Jr. 
1S60— John W. Simons 
1861— Finlay M. King 
1862— John J. Crane 
1863-1861- Clinton F. Page 
1866-1866— Robert D. Holmes 

1867— Stephen H. Johnson 
1868-1869— James Gibson 
1870-1871— John H. Anthon 
1872-1873— Christopher G. Fox. 
1671-1875 — Ellwood E. Thome 
1876— James W. Husted 

DEPUTY GEAND MASTEES. 



1785- 

1786-1788- 

1789-1790- 

1791-1794- 

1795-1800- 

1801-J 

1804-1809 - 

1820- 
1821-1822- 
1823-1824- 
1825-1826- 

1827- 

1823- 
1829-1834- 
1835-1837- 
1838-1842- 

1843- 
1844-1845- 



Samuel Kerr 
Richard Harrison 
-William Malcolm 
-Peter McDougail 
•Jacob Morton 
-Edward Livingston 
-Martin Hoffman 
-John W Mulligan 
-John Brush 
-E. W. King & J. Brush 
-B. Hatfield & J. Brush 
-Richard Hatfield 
-Henry J. Feltus 
-Mordecai Myers 
J. Van Benscboten 
-William Willis 
-Alex. H. Robertson 
-JohnD. Willard 



1846-1847— Isaac Phillips 
1848 -Oscar Coles 
1849— William H Mi -nor 
1850-1851 — kelson Randall 
1852-1853 - Joseph D. Evans 
1854-1855— John L. Lewis, Jr. 
1856-1857— Robert Macoy 
1858-1859 — John W. Simons 
1860— Finlay M. King 
1861— John J. Crane 
1862— Clinton E. Page 
1863— J. B. Yates Somers 
1864— Robert D. Holmes 
1865-1866 — Stephen H. Johnson 
1867-1869— John H. Anthon 
1870-1871— Christopher G-. Fox 
1872-1673— Ellwood E. Thome 
•874-1875— James W. Ousted 
1. 70 — Joseph J ^o ion 



FORMS. 



FORM OP' PETITION FOR A NEW IiOT?CE. 

To the 31. W , Grand Master of Masons 

in the State of New York : 

The undersigned petitioners, being Free and Accepted 
Master Masons, having the prosperity of the Fraternity at 
heart, and willing to exert their best endeavors to promote 
and diffuse the genuine principles of Free Masonry, respect- 
fully represents — That they are desirous of forming a new 

Lodge in the of , to be named 

*Lodge. They therefore pray for letters of dispensation, to 
empower them to assemble as a regular Lodge, to discharge 
the duties of Masonry, in a regular and constitutional manner, 
according to the original forms of the Fraternity, and the reg- 
ulations of the Grand Lodge. They have nominated and do 
recommend Brother A. B. to be the first Master; Brother 0. 
D. to be the first Senior Warden, and Brother E. F. to be the 
first Junior Warden, of said Lodge. If the prayer of this pe- 
tition shall be granted, they promise a strict conformity to the 
edicts of the Grand Master, and the Constitution, Laws and 
Regulations of the Grand Lodge. 

NAMES- I LODGE. RESIDENCE. 



FORM . 167 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE 

RECOMMENDING A DISPENSATION TO ESTABLISH A 
NEW LODGE. 

1 'At a stated communication of Lodge, No 

held at , in , on the. . .day of ,18. ..the fol- 
lowing resolutions were adopted: 

"Resolved, That this Lodge do recommend the petition o! 
Bros. A. B., C. D., E. F., etc., [naming all Hie petitioners'], 

praying for a dispensation to establish a new Lodge at 

by the name of Lodge, and do avouch for said peti- 
tioners as being Master Masons in good standing; and being 
the nearest Lodge thereto, do recommend that the prayer ot 
the petition be granted. 

"Resolved, That,* in the judgment of this Lodge, Bros. 
A. B., C. D., and E. F., named in said petition as Master 
and Wardens of said new Lodge, are competent to confer the 
three degrees and impart the lectures, they having exhibited 
their work in said degrees before this Lodge. 

"In witness whereof, we have caused our Lodge seal to be 
affixed, and our Secretary to subscribe his name 
hereto. 
[SEAL.] 

Secretary." 

If the Lodge applied to be other than the " nearest Lodge," 
the certificate will embrace only the first resolution, thus 
modified: Strike out the words, "the nearest Lodge thereto," 
and insert the words, "one of the Lodges whose territorial 
jurisdiction is affected thereby." The resolution, thus certified 
should go upon the record. Such Lodges may also omit the 
vouches of the petitioners as Master IViasons. 



168 F01.MS. 

FORM OF PROXY, TO REPRESENT A LODGE. 

" This is to certify, that at a Stated Communication 

of , Lodge, No ,held on! the ,day 

of , A. L., 58 ,our Worshipful Brother 

Past Master (or Master) of /Lodge, No ,\vas 

duly appointed proxy, to represent this Lodge in the Grand 
Lodge of the State of New York, at the next annual com- 
munication thereof. 

Given under my hand and seal of the Lodge, at 

this day of 18. . . . 

[SEAL. ] 

Attest: Master, 

Secretary." 

FORM OF APPL.ICATIOY FOR A WARRANT. 



To The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the 
State of New York. 

The undersigned, to whom the M. W. Grand Master was 

pleased to grant a Dispensation, to form Lodge at , 

having concluded their labors, fraternally present their work 
for your inspection, and respectively ask that a Warrant be 
pranted to them. 

( 

1 Petitioners. 



FORM OF RETURN OF EJECTION. 
Be it Known, that the. . . .day of A. L. 58. ., at a 



F0EM3. 169 

regular meeting of Lodge No. . . ., held in the 

of County of , in the State of New York, 

our worthy Brother, , was elected Master ; our 

worthy Brother, , Senior Warden ; and our 

worthy Brother, , Junior Warden of the said 

Lodge for the ensuing year, and that said Master and Ward- 
ens have been duly installed. 

In testimony whereof, we, the members of the said Lodge, 
have caused the seal thereof to be hereunto affixed, and our 
Secretary to sign the same. 

[L. S.] 

Secretary. 

This certificate of election must be filed with the Grand 
Secretary, before the said officers can be recognized as mem- 
bers of the Grand Lodge. 



FORMS OP DIMIT. 

"Triluminar Lodge, No. 800, F. & A. M. 
To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge, No 



This is to certify that ? Brother a member 

in good standing of this Lodge, having made application for 
a Dimit, and notice having been received that said Brother 
has petitioned your Lodge for affiliation therein, a resolution 
has been adopted by this Lodge that a Dimit shall be granted 
upon the condition that said Brother shall consummate his 
affiliation in your Lodge. Of which act of affiliation you will 
give this Lodge timely notice. And upon the event of failure 
to consummate such membership, this Certificate of Dimission 
is to be returned to this Lodge. 



170 F EMS. 

Given under my hand and the seal of the Lodge, at 

this day of A. L. 58 ... . 

[SEAL.] 

Attest: Master. 

Secretrry." 

CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION OF 
MASTER MASON. 

Lodge No. 

To all Free and Accepted Masons, whom it may concern, 
greeting, acknowledging the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge 
of the State of New York. 

This is to certify, That Brother , whose name 

appears in the margin of this Dimit is a Master Mason, and 
was a member of this Lodge in good standing and clear of 
the books, and as such we do cordially commend him to the 
fraternal regard of all true Free and Accepted Masons, wher- 
ever dispersed around the Globe. 

In testimony whereof we have caused this dimit to be 
signed by the W. Master, and the seal of the Lodge to be 

attached this day of A. D., 

18...., A. L., 58.... 

W. M. 

Secretary . 

APPLICATION FOR A DIMIT. 

18 . 

To the Master, "Wardens and Brethren of Lodge, 

No Free and Accepted Masons : 



FORMS. 171 

Brethren : Being desirous of severing my connection 
with your Lodge, and having petitioned 

Lodge No for affiliation, and been elected a Member 

thereof, I fraternally apply for a Dimit. 
Respectfully, 



Lodge No. . . . Free and Accepted Masons. 

18 . 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge, 

No 

This is to certify, that Brother did on the 

day of iS , petition this Lodge for 

affiliation, and was duly elected on tiie day of 

iS.... 

Witness my hand, and the Seal of the Lodge. 



[seal.] 



, Master. 

. Secretary. 



PETITION FOR AFFILIATION. — «• 

18 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge, 

No. . . . Free and Accepted Masons. 

Brethren : I fraternally apply for affiliation with your 
Lodge. I am a Master Mason in good standing, and a 

Member of Lodge, No located at and 

not an elected officer. 



172 forms. 

A g e Where born Residence Occupation 



Proposed by . 
Reference . . . 



PETITION FOR AFFILIATION. 

18 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of , Lodge, 

No Free and Accepted Masons. 

Brethren : I fraternally apply for affiliation with your 
Lodge. I am a Master Mason in good standing, and late a 

Member of. Lodge, No located at 

in the State of Accompanying this, please 

find my dimit. 

Age Where born Residence Occupation 



Recommended by. 
Reference 



PETITION FOR INITIATION. 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren Lodge, 

No free and accepted masons. The undersigned, 

unbiased by the improper solicitation of friends, and uninflu- 
enced by mercenary or other unworthy motives, prompted by 



FORMS. 173 

a favorable opinion of your ancient and honorable institution, 
and a desire for knowledge, freely and voluntarily offers him- 
self a candidate for initiation into the mysteries of Free- 
masonry, and respectfully prays that he may be admitted and 
become a member of your Lodge, promises a cheerful con- 
formity to the ancient usages and established customs of the 
Fraternity, and upon his honor as a man, has made true an- 
swers to the following questions : 

What is your age ? What is your occupation ? 

Where born ? Where do you reside ? Have you 

resided in the State of the twelve months last past? .... 

Have you resided in the town, village or city in which you 

now reside for four months last past ? Have you ever 

to your knowledge or belief, presented a petition to, or 

been rejected in any Masonic Lodge ? If so, when 

and in what Lodge ? Do you believe in the existance of 

one ever-living and true God Do you know of any 

physicial, legal, or moral reason which should prevent you 
from becoming a Freemason ? 



Proposed by 

Reference. 



18 



FORM OF MASTER MASON CERTIFICATE. 

To all Free and Accepted Masons on the Face of the 
Globe, Greeting : 

We, the Master and Wardens of Lodge No. . . . 

Free and Accepted Masons, constituted under a charter from 



174 FOEMS. 

the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, Do certify that 
our worthy Brother, , has been regularly initi- 
ated as an Entered Apprentice; passed to the Degree of Fel- 
low Craft and raised to the sublime Degree of Master Ma- 
son, and is distinguished for his zeal and fidelity to the Craft. 
We do therefore recommend that he be received and ac- 
knowledged as such by all true and accepted Freemasons 
wherever dispersed. 

In testimony whereof, we have granted him this certificate 
under our hands and the seal of the Lodge, (having first 
caused our worthy Brother to sign his name in the margin) 

this.... day of A. D., 18.., A. L. 58 

W, M. S.W. 

Sec'y Y. W. 

This is certify, that Lodge No. . . .is a legally con- 
stituted Lodge,, working under the jurisdiction of the Grand 
Lodge of New York. 

53 

Grand Sec'y. 



FOUM G? A GRAND LODGE DIPLOMA. 

We, the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, 
by these presents testify and declare to all whom it may 

concern, that our Brother , who has 

signed his name in the margin hereof, is a regular Master 

Mason of Lodge No. ... , as appears to us by the 

certificate of the said Lodge held under our jurisdiction in 

the of county of State of New York, 

in the United States of America. 



FORM-'. 175 

In testimony whereof, we have caused our seal to be 
hereunto affixed, and our Grand Secretary to subscribe the 

same, at the City of New York, this day of 

A.D., 18..A. L.,58 

[seal.] Grand Secretary. 



FORM OF CERTIFICATE FOR THE USE OF MAS. 
TER'S WIDOAV OR ORPHAN. 

Deceased Master Mason's Certificate. 

We, the Master and Wardens of Lodge, No 

Do hereby Certify, that our late Brother was, at the 

time of his decease, on the day of A. D. 18 ... , a 

Master Mason, and a member in good standing in the afore- 
said Lodge, at in the State of New York. 

Given under our hands, and the seal of the said Lodge, 

the day of A.L. 58. 

W.M. 

S. W. 

J. w. 

Secretaiy. 

I do Certify, That the W. Brother is Master, Bro. . . . 

Sen. Warden, and Bro Junior Warden of Lodge, 

No which is regulaly constituted and held under the 

jurisdiction of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons for the State of New York 

In Testimony Whereof, I have set my hand and caused the 
Seal of the aforesaid Grand Lodge to be hereunto affixed, 

this day of A . L. 58. 

Grand Secretary. 



176 FOEMS. 

FORM OF SUMMONS. 



.Lodge, No F. and A. M. 

18.... 



Brother you are hereby summoned to attend 

a Communication of this Lodge, on the 

day of 18 at o'clock 

By order ot the Master. 
Secretary. 



INDEX 

TO 

Constitution and §>tatutes. 



Con'st. 
Section. 



Stat. 

Section 



A., 



Adjoining fee of Master Mason - - 4°(6) 

Advancement, balloting for, not to be post- 
poned - 
Advancement in another Lodgi' regulated - 
Advancement, rejection of petition for, effect 57 
Adverse Ballot cannot he reconsidered, effect 

of ..... 56-57 

Aftliation, applications for, how treated, etc. 
Affiliation, petition for Ballot at Stated Com- 
munication . 
Every member present to vote on 
Must be referred --.--- 
Penalty for disclosing ballot 
Received only at Stated Communication - 
Alteration of Masonic Districts - - 33 
Amendments to Constitution, how made - 62 
Amendments to Statutes, how made • 63 
Ancient landmarks defined - 20 
Appeal from decision of grand Master 



58 

61-62 



53 
44 

54 
55 
5 2 
65 
52 



68 



178 



INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AM) STATUTES. 



C m'st. 

feection. 



Stat. 
Section. 

3° 



Appeal from decision of Master of Lodge 
Appeals and Trials (see Trials and Appeals) 
Appointed Grand Officers - - 5 

Approved Minutes not to be changed - - 33 

Aprons of officers of Lodge • 26 

Ballot, adverse, cannot be reconsidered, ef- 
fect of .-.-. 56-57 53 

Ballot for each degree a right 57 

" penalty for disclosing ... 65 

Balloting for Candidates at Stated Communi- 
cation only - 54 
" " Candidates, every Member must 

vote ... 55 

" " Candidates not to be postponed 58 

Books to be kept by a Lodge - - 21 

By-Laws of Lodge, signing of a duty - 54( 2 ) 



Candidate. 

Ballot on, for each degree a right 

Balloting for at Stated Communication 

Balloting for, every member present to vote 

Balloting for not to be postponed 

Discussion of merits of, forbidden 

Fee for, initiation of, regulated 

Five may be initiated, passed or raised at 

one Communication - 
Initiation or advancement of, in another 

Lodge - 



57 
5* 
55 
58 
57 
63 

59 
6i, 62 



GKAND LODGE. 179 

Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Candidates. 

Interval required between degrees - 60 

Jurisdiction of Lodge over, affected by 

residence - - 51 

Jurisdiction of Lodge over, how determined 50 

Liable to punishment for misrepresentation 56 

Must be residents of State and County - 51 

One degree only to be conferred, on, at 

Communication - £9 

Penalty for disclosing ballot for - 65 

Petition of, for initiation when referred must 

go to ballot - - - - . 53 

Petition of, must be in writing - - 55 

Petition of, must be referred, etc - 52 

Petition of, received at Stated Communica- 
tions - 52 
Petition of, rejection of, for advancement 

effect - - - - 57 

Petition of, rejection of, for initiation, ef- 
fect - 56 53 
Petition of, when wrongfully presented 53 
Proficiency of, requisite to advancement 64 
Questions required to be answered by 49 
Chaplain, Grand, duties of 30 
Charities, claim for, during recess of Lodge - 24 
Charities, right to, and how furnished - 23 
Clandestine work forbidden in Lodge - 25 
Committee to examine accounts of G. Treas. 

and G. Sec'y - 43 



180 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Con' st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Communications of a Lodge, annual and spe- 
cial . .6 
Communications of a Lodge, who may be 

present at . .14 

Constitution, amendments to, how made . 62 

Constitutions, definition of . 21 

Customs, Masonic definition of , .22 

I> 

Deacon, Grand, duties of • 30 

Decisions of Trial Commissioners, (see . 

Trials and Appeals) : 6S 

Definition of general and special laws etc. 22 

Degrees, (see Candidates and Petitions) . 
Departure from Landmarks, effect of . 4-9(2 

Deputy Grand Master, Duties and powers \p. 

general . . 26 

•* •' " Duty to appoint ex- 

aminers of accounts 43 

Deputy Grand Master, Duty to approve bond 

of Grand Treasurer 23 

66 *• •* Power to require at- 

tendance of Grand 
Secretary . 29(8) 

11 '* " Trustee of Permanent 

Fund . . 4 2 

Dimission and Withdrawal, how and when 

granted and effected ... 45 

Discussion Forbidden on candidates for initi- 
ation, etc . ... — 57 
Disobedience to Constitution or Laws . 49(3) 



GEAXD LODGE. 181 

Con' st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Dispensation, Effect of petitioning for Lodge 

under .... 43 

" For new Lodge who may ask for 35 

" Lodge under, expires May 15th 40 

" Lodge under, members of, at 

expiration of 36 

" Lodge under, must pay Grand 

Lodge dues ... 39 

" Lodge under, powers and privi- 

leges of 36 

<c Lodge under, warrant 'for, how 

obtained . 37 

11 to elect and install officers of 

Warranted Lodge ; . 8 

District Deputy Grand Master, 
" Duties and powers of . 35 

" Duty to appoint Commissioners . . 35(i) 

District Duty to Give instruction . . 35(3) 

i( " Order restoration in certain cases 35(5) 

<< " Perform acts ordered by G. M. 

orG. L. . . ^ . 35(7)* 

" " Prepare statement of condition of 

Lodges . . . 35(5 

" « Prepare and transmit report to 

G. M 35«5) 

" «« Preside in each Lodge after open- 
ing . . . -35(3) 
" " Secure funds o r dormant Lodges 35(5) 
» " Visit officially every Lodge in 

district . . . 35(2) 



182 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

District, Qualifications of . 34 

Districts, Masonic, and alteration of . 33 

Dues to Grand Lodge, (see Revenue and 
Funds.) 

Dues, penalty for non-payment of and effect 46 47 

Duties of Grand Officers. (See Grand Chap- 
lain, etc.) 

Duties of Lodge Officers, (see Master, Sec- 
retary, etc). 

Duty, neglect or violation of, a Masonic of- 
fence ..... 27 

13 

Edicts, Masonic, definition of .22 

Effect of petitioning for Lodge under dispen- 
sation .... 43 

Effect of rejection of petition for advance- 
ment. ... 57 

Effect of rejection of petition for initiation . 56 

Effect of suspension on dues to G. L. . 48 

Effect of unaffiliation, on dues to Grand 

Lodge ... 47 

Effect of unaffiliation, on Masonic rights and 

privileges .... 42 

Election of Grand Officers how chosen . 8 

Election of Officers of Lodge, dispensation for 8 

Election of Officers of Lodge, members must 

be summoned ... 14 

Election of Officers of Lodge, time fixed for 8 



GEA.XD LODGE. 183 

Con'st Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Election of Officers of Lodge, results to be 

sent to G. Sec'y ... 14 

Elective Officers of Grand Lodge . . 5 

Elective Officers of Lodge . . 8 

Entered Apprentice or F. C. of extinct Lodge, 

how advanced and affiliated . . 54f3) 

Every member present to vote on petitions 55 

Examination of accounts of G. Treas and G. 

Sec'y . . . .43 

Examination as to proficie-neT of Candidates 64 

Executive functions of G. L., when vested in 

G. Master .... 24(2) 

Expelled Mason, restored by Grand Lodge 77 

Expelled Mason, restored by Lodge . 78 

Expenses of Trial Commissioners . , 72 

Expiration of dispensation for Lodges . 40 

F 

Fee, adjoining, of Master Mason . . 40(6) 

Fee for initation regulated . . 6? 

Fellow Craft or E. A. of extinct Lodge, how 

advanced or affiliated . . 54(3) 

Five Candidates may be initiated or advanced 

at a Communication ... rn 

Funds and Revenues of Grand Lodge (see 

Revenues and Funds). 
Funds of Lodge not to be distributed . 2" 

Grand Chaplain duties of - ?0 

" Deacons, " - 71 



184 INDEX TO CONSTITUTI N AND STATUTES. 

Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Grand Lecturer, Duties of - 37 

'• " Powers and Qualifications of 36 

" " Salary of - 44 

Grand Lodge Communications, of 

Annual and special - 6 

'« Communications of, who entitled 

to be present - 14 

" Diploma, fee for - 4°(3) 

" Dues from members of Lodges 40(8) 

" Dues to, how determined - 41 

" Government of F. and A. M. 

vested in - 2 

" Initiation fees to, and to H. and 

A. Fund - 40(5) 

" Jurisdiction of 3 

11 Members, number and qualifi- 
cations of - - - - 4-i5 
Grand Lodge Members of, right to vote - II 

" Members of, to wear jewels and 

proper clothing - 3 

" Powers of - - - - 16, 17, l8, 32 

4< Quorum of, except on certain 

occasions - 7 

" Style of ----- I 

" Travelling Certificates, amount of 

fee for 4°(4) 

" Marshal, duties of - - - 3 1 

Grand Master, duties and powers to 

" Appoint Committees, standing and 
special ----- 



GBAND LODGE. 18 

Con'st. Stat 
Section. Section 
Grand Master, duties and power to 

* ' Appoint Examiners of accounts - 43 

" Appoint Foreign Representatives 23(9) 

'* Appoint Grand Officers - - 23(10) 

" Appoint Trial Commissioners - 58 

" Approve Bond of Grand Treasurer 28 

" Convene any Lodge, etc. - - 23d) 

" Direct Correspondence of Grand 

Lodge - - - 29 ( 7) 

" Direct Officers in their duties - 32-35(7) 

" Execute functions ofG. L . when 

not in session - - 24(2) 

" Grant Dispensation to elect Master 

and Wardens - - 23(5) 

11 Grant dispensations for election 

and installation of officers - 23(6) 

" Grant dispensations for new 

Lodges - - - 23(7) 

" Grant dispensations provided for in 

Constitution - - - 23(8) 

*' Nominate Chief Commissioner of 

Appeals to G. L. - - 60 

" Nominate Commissioners of Ap- 
peals to G. L. - - - 59 

«' Preside in Grand Lodge - 2411) 

<k Receive and accredit Foreign Re- 
presentatives - - - 23(9) 

" Require attendance of Grand Offi- 
cers, etc. - - 23(2)29(8) 

" Suspend Elective officer of a Lodge 23(3) 



186 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Con'st. SHt. 
Section. Section. 

Grand Master, duties and powers to 

" Suspend warrant of a Lodge - 23(4) 
" Trustee of permanent fund of G.L. 42 

'* Vacancy in office of, how filled - 25 

Grand Officers, appointed, and when - 5 

" Elective . - . 5 

" Elective, how and when cho- 

sen - - 8 

M Elective, who may be chosen 

from New York and 
elsewhere - 9 

" General duties of - 32 

" Installation of I 

" Style of 2 

" Vacancies in, how filled - 10 

Grand Pursuivant, duties of - - 31 

" Salary of - - 44 « 

Grand Secretary, duty to attend with books 

meetings of G, L. , etc 29(8) 

** Conduct correspondence of 

Grand Lodge - - 29(7) 

" Furnish each D. D. G. M. 

with lists of Lodges - 29(11) 
M Keep alphabetical register 

of rejections - - 29(13) 

" Keep o3ice op n five hours . 

daily - - 29(9) 

*' Notify Lodges of appoint- 

'■ mentofD. D. G. M. 29(11) 



GRAND LODGE. 



187 





Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 


3 rand Secretary Prepare and furnish blanks 






for statement of D D. 




\ 

M 


G. M. 
Prepare and furnish certifi- 


29(12) 




cates for proxies 


29(12) 


it 


Prepare and furnish forms 




'< 


of registry and returns 
Receive, file, and keep pa- 


29(12) 


< 


pers 
Receive and keep accounts 


29(3) 


>« 


of moneys 
Record transactions of 


29(5) 


£< 


Grand Lodge 
Register initiate and mem- 


29(1) 


(1 


bers of Lodges 
Report annually to Grand 

Lodge 
Sign and certify instru- 


29(2) 
29(6) 


« 


ments 
Transmit certificates cf 


29(4) 


* c« 


election 
Salary of - 
Trustee of p rmanent fund 


29(10) 

44 ■ 




ofG. L 


42 


Gran 1 Standard Bearer, duties of 

" Stewards, duties of - - 


3i 
31 


" Svord Bearer, duties of 


3i 


" Tiler, duties of - 


3i 


<• <( 


Sal ry oi 


44 



188 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Cbn'st. 
bection. S< 
Grand Treasurer, Duty to 

Attend G. L. or G. M. when 

required - - 28(3) 

" *' Execute and file official bond 28(5) 

" " Pay orders drawn under reg- 

ulations, etc - - 28(2) 

" " Pay to successor moneys, etc. 28(6) 

" " Report Annually to Grand 

Lodge - - - 28(4) 

" " Take charge of all funds, etc. 28(1) 

Grand Treasurer, salary of 44 

Grand Wardens, Duties of 27 

" " Trustees of Permanent Fund 

of G. L. - - 42 

H 
Hall and Asylum Fund, dues to 
Honorary membership regulated 
How and when officers of Lodge shall be cho- 
sen - 
How and when Salaries of Grand officers 

shall be fixed and computed and paid 44 

How dispensations for Lodges may issue, and 

when 
How Lodges may be dissolved - - 47 

How to amend Constitution and Statutes - 62 63 
How warrant of Lodge may be forfeited - 49 

How warrant of Lodge may be surrendered 48 

I 
Initiation (see Ballot, Candidates, Lodge and 
Petition.) .... 



Con'st 


Stat. 


Section. 


Section. 




61-62 




63 




65 




26 




I 




8 




60 




25 



GRAND LODGE. 189 



Initiation, or advancement in another odge 

regulated - 

Initiation, Fee for, regulated 
Initiation, Penalty for disclosing ballot for - 
Insignia of officers of Lodge 
Installation of Grand Officers 
Installation of officers of Lodge 
Interval required between degrees 
Intoxicating liquors forbidden in Lodge 

•J 

Jewels of Lodge Officers - 26 

Judicial Powers of a Warranted Lodge - 40(3) 

Jurisdiction of a Lodge over candidates af 

ected by residence - - 51 

" of a Lodge how determined - 50 

n of a Lodge over members and un- 
" affiliates ... 71 

of the Grand Lodge, when origi- 
nal - ... 58 

Labor, Masonic prohibited on Sunday - 25 

Landmarks, Ancient defined - - 20 

Law and Statutes, Freemasons governed by 1 9 

1 aws, General and Special defined 22 

Lecturer Grand, duties, powers and salary of 36, 37, 44 
Lodge, Aprons of officers of 26 

" Charities; claim for during recess - 24 

" Charities, right to, and how furnished 23 



190 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 



Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Seccion. 



25 



Lodge Clandestine Work forbidden in 

" Dispensation to elect and install offic- 
ers cf 8 
u Duties of Master of (See Master) 
'• Duties of officers of , directed by Mas- 
ter - 34 
" Duties of Secretary of. (See Secretary) 
" Duties of Treasurer of. (See Treasurer) 
" Election of officers of, members must 

be summoned for - 14 

" Election results must be certified to 

Grand Secretary - 14 

" Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft 

of extinct Lodge, how advanced 54(3) 

" Funds of, not to be distributed, etc. - 25 

" Grand. (See Grand Lodge) 
" How dissolved - 47 

" Insignia of offices of - 26 

" Intoxicating liquors forbidden in - 25 

" Jewels of officers of - 26 

lt Judicial powers of a warranted - 4-6(3) 

ct Laws governing dispensation fur anew 53 

" Legislative powers of a warraned - 46(2) 
" Masonic labor on Sunday prohibited in 25 

" Master and Wardens cf, cannot re- 
sign - - . - 12 
" Master has primary executive power of 46(1) 
" Master of, qualifications of 10 
" Membership allowed in only one - 41 



GRAND LODGE. 



191 



Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 
Lodge, Membership is acquired By 

Acceptance and receiving 3rd de- 
gree in - - 54(2) 
Affiliation - - - 54(4) 
Being named as grantee of dispen- 
sation or warrant - - 54^) 
M Number of votes entitled to in G. L, 

determined - - 12 

*• Officers, except Tiler, must be mem- 
bers of - - II 
" Officers of, how and when chosen and 

installed - 8 

" Officers of, to be provided for in By- 
Laws - 8 
" Petitioners for dispensation for, who 

maybe - 35 

" Power of, to make By-Laws - 16 

" Power of, to tax c r assess members 

for Masonic purposes - 1 7 

" Precedence of, how ascertained - 19 

" Proxy of to G. L., and how and when 

chosen - 13 15 

" Removal of place of meeting of - 20 

" Shall have a seal - - 21 

•' Shall keep certain Books - 21 

" Signing the By-Laws of, duty of a 

member . 54(2) 

" Surrender of warrant of, conclusive on 

members - - - - 51 

" under dispensation, effect of petitioning 43 



192 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Ccm'st. Stat 
Section. Section. 

Lodge Under dispensation, Expires May 15 - 40. 

" " " Members of, at ex- 







piration 




3S 


(( 


tt 


" ' Must pay G. L. 
dues 




39 


tt 


it 


'J Powers and privil- 
eges of 




26 


u 


(« 


\* Warrant for, how 
obtained 




37 


tt 


tt 


*\ Who may petition 
for 




35 


odge 


, Vacancy in office except Master and 










Wardens, of how 










filled 




14 


tt 


tt 


(l how occasioned in 




13 


i i 


Vote in 


, who may - 




9 


tt 


Warrant of, forfeited by — 






tt 




Ceasing to meet for and year 


49(4) 


22 


it 


tt 


Contumacy to authority 


49(!) 




tt 


n 


Departure from landmarks - 


49(2) 




tt 


tt 


Disobedience to Constitution 
or laws - 


49^3) 




tt 


tt 


Neglecting to make returns 


49 ( 5) 




a 


1 1 


Neglecting to pay dues 


49^5) 


22 


tt 


a 


How surrendered 


48 




tt 


a 


May be suspended 


52 




a 


Warranted, Powers, duties and Privil- 










egcs of - 


46 




tt 


a 


Who Compose a 


45 





GUAM) LODGE. „ 193 

Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 
M 

Marshal, Grand duties of - - - 3 1 

Masonic Districts and alteration of - 33 

Masonic Duty violated an offence - 27 

Masonic Labor on Sunday prohibited - 25 

Masonic Law and Statutes, Freemasons gov- 
erned by - - - - 19 
Master Grand, duties and powers (see Grand 

Master) 
Master of ^»dge, Appeal from decision of - 30 

" Cannot resign his office - 12 

" Dispensation to elect or 

instal - 8 

" Lias primary executive 

power m lodge - 46(1) 28(3) 

11 How and when chosen - 8 

" Powers and Duties of, to 

convene his lodge - 28(1) 

li Powers and Duties of, to 

direct officers in duties 34 

" Powers and Duties of, to 

issue summons - - 28(2 

" Powers and Duties of, to 
remove appointed offi- 
cers • - - 28(4) 
" Qualifications of - 10 
" Vacancy in office how filled 29 
Membership, Acquired in a lodge by, Accept- 
ance and receiving 3d Degree, 01 SA( 2 ) 
" Affiliation or - 54(4) 



194 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Membership Being named one of grantees 

of dispensation or warrant - 54(1) 

Entered Apprentice or F. C. of 
extinct lodge how advanced 
and affiliated - - 54(3) 

" Honorary, how acquired and 

rights of 41 

11 In only one ledge permitted - 41 

" Necessary to constitut j eligibility 

to office - - . % n 

*' To sign By-laws of lodge a duty 

of . ... 54(2) 

Minutes, Keeping of, not to be changed after 

approval .... - 33 

New Lodges (see Dispensations) 

Nominations by G. M. of Chief and other 

Commissioners of appeals - - 59,60 

Non-payment of dues, penalty for how ex- 
acted - 46 

Notification to Lodge of appointment of D. 
D. G. M- - - 

Number of votes of Lodge in Grand Lodge 

O 

Office of Master, vacancy in 29 

Officers, Grand, (see Grand Officers) 

Officer- of a Lodge, elective named - 8 

Officers of a L^dge must be members - II 



2 9( ii) 



GRAND LODGE. 195 

Cou'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Officers of a Lodge, to be provided for by 

By-law ... . 8 • 

Officer? of a Lodge, when and how chosen 

and installed ... 8 

One degiee may be conferred on a candidate, 

when - . - 59 

Pay of Grand Officers and Commissioners of 

appeals .... 6 

" Representatives - 5 

11 Representatives or Officers forfeited 

by absence . 7 

Permanent Funds, management of - 42 

" " Who are trustees of - 42 

Petition for Advancement fleet of rejection of 57 

" Affiliation or initiation ball t on o ly 
at State Com- 
munication 54 
Li ii " discussion of 
merits for- 
bidden - 57 
« " " Every member 
present to 

vote on 55 

" Ct 6t Musi be efer- 

red - 52 

" l < " Penalty for 

disclosing bal- 
" " " lot n - 6s 



193 INDEX TO C INSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Sectio'h. 

Petition for affiliation or initiation vece'v d o ily 

at Stated 
Commun.ca- 

li ns - 52 

IV ti ion for Dispensation t form ne.» Lodge 
• (see dispensation) 

Petition for initiation, effect of rejection of - 56 53 

" " Misrepresentation in an 

offenee - 56 

" " Must be in writing - 55 

" " Or advancement, bal- 

loting not to be 
postponed - . 58 

" " Questions to be an- 

swered n - 49 

" " When received cannot 

be withdrawn - 53 

" " "Whe wrongfully pre- 

sented to be re- 
t rned , 53 

Power of Lodge to make By-Laus . 16 

Power of Lodge to assess Members . 1 7 

Prec dence of Lodges how ascerta ned . 19 

Proxy of Lodge to Grand Lodg ; how and 

when chosen . . . 13 15 

Pursuivant, Grand, duties and salary of , 3*544 

Q 

Qualifications of Grand Lecturer - 36 

Qual.fica ions of Master of Lodge - 10 



GEAND LODGE. 



19V 



Con'st. Stat 
Section. Section. 



Questions to be answered by petitioner for in- 
itiation - 

H 
Removal of place of Lodge meeting 
Resolutions, definition of 
Restoration of expelled mason by Grand Lodge 

" Lodge 

Revenues and Funds of Grand Lodge how 
derived 
From Adjoining fee of 
Master Mason 



40(6) 



49 

20 

71 
7^ 



a 


Diploma Grand Lodge 


7 


a 
u 


fee 

Dispensation for new 
Lodge, fee for 
Dues to Grand 


40(3) 
40(1) 


. i 


Lodge 

Dues to Grand Lodge 
how determined . 


40I8) 
41 


i 1 


Dues to Hall and 




a 


Asylum Fund 
amount of 
Initiation fees to G. 
L. and to H. and 


40(9) 


1 t 


A. Fund . 
Registry fee 
Trav lling certifi- 


40(5) 
40(7) 


a 


cates 

\V..it nt fee of 


40(4) 




Lodge 


40(2) 



198 



INDEX TO CONSTITUTI N AND STATUTES. 



Rule Masonic d finition of 



Con'st. 
Section. 



Stat. 
Section. 



Salar'es — of Gr nd Lecturer , 

" " Pursuivant . . 

" " Secretary . . 

» " Tiler 

" ,c Treasurer 

" When paid and how computed 
Seal, Warran ed L' dge must have a 
Secretary Grand, and duties powers and sal 

ary of. (See Grand Secretary) 
Secretary of Lodge, duties of 
To affix seal to returns . 
Attest Master's signature 
Certify electi ns to D.D. G. M. and G, 

Secretary 
Keep register of members and work of 

lodge 
Make rnnual return of initiates. &c. to 

G. Secretary 
Make annual return of membership to 

G. Secretary 
Make return of condition of lodge to D. 

D. G. M. 
Receive moneys, &c. 
Record proceedings of ledge 
Register and report expulsions, suspen 

sions, &c. 
Report rejected candidates 



GEAND LODGS 



199 



Standard Bearer, Grand, duties of 

Standard Work, Lodges to adopt and practice 
Penalty for failure to adopt 
Penalty for unauthorized imparting 

Statutes, Amendments to, how made . 

Stewards Grand, duties of ' . 

Surrender of warrant of Lodge conclusive on 
members . . . . . $ 

Surrender of warrant of Lodge, how accomp- 
lished . 

Suspension after trial not to effect dues 

Suspension of warrant of Lodge in certain 
cases ..... 

Sword Bearer Grand, duties of . 



Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

31 

38 
38 
39 
63 
3i 



51 



52 
31 



Tiler, Grand, duties and salary of . . 3 1, 44 
Tiler need not be member of the Lodge . II 

Treasurer, Grand, duties and salary of . 28, 44 

Treasurer, of a Lodge duties of 

To keep just accounts . . 3 X ( 2 ) 

To pay out moneys by order . 3 J (3^ 

To Receive moneys from Secretary 3l(l) 

Trials and Appeals — Appeals to G. L. heard 

during session . 70 

<« " Appeals to G. L. Trans- 

mission of papers . 69 

<t " Charges against Mas er 

of a loci £e . . 73 



200 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 

Con' si. Stat. 
Section. Section. 

Trials and Appeals — Charges in a lodge how 

conducted . . 71 

44 a Charges not constitu'ing 

offeree to be dis- 
missed . . 74 

44 44 Chief Commissioner of 

Appeals, appoint- 
ment of 60 

44 u % Commission of A] )peals, 

appointment of, etc. 59 

44 " Commission of Appeals, 

(Allies and powers of 61 

44 4< Commissioners for Trials 

majority of must 
concur . . 67 

44 4< Commissioners for Trials 

to give notice of re- 
port 

44 u Commissioners for trials 

to report forthwith. 

<4 " Conducted according to 

Code of Procedure 

44 4< C>py of Commissioners re- 

port filed with Grand 
Secretary . . 67 

44 44 Decision of Commissioners 

final unless appealed 
from . . 68 

44 ' c Expenses of Commis- 

sioners for trials . 72 



GRAND LODGE. 



201 



Con'st. 
Section. 



Stat. 
Section. 



Trials and Appeals— Jurisdiction of Grand 

Lodge, when original 58 

" c< Penalties to be inflicted 

after conviction 
u " Proceedings on Appeal 

to G. M. or G. L. 
u " Time and place for trial 

of charges how ap- 
pointed 
* ' u Witnesses may be sum- 

moned by a Commis- 
sioner or a Master . 
Unaffiliation, a - penalty for non-payment of 

dues . . ..." 

Unaffiliation for non-payment of dues, effect 

on G. L dues 
Unaffiliation, penalties for remaining in • 

Usages, Masonic definition of • . 11 



7 6 

6S 

66 

66 

46 

47 
42 



Vacancy in lodge office and how filled 
Vacancy in lodge office how occasioned 
Vacancy in office of master 
Visitation, right of regulated • 

Vo.e, who is entitled to in a 1 dge 
Votes of a lodge in Grand Lodge . 

W 

Wardens, Grand, duties of . , 

Wardens of lodge cannot resign 



12 



28, 42 



14 
13 

29 
18 

9 



12 



202 INDEX TO CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES. 



Con'st. Stat. 
Section. Section. 



Warrant of lodge how forfeited . . 49 

Warrant of lodge how surrendered . 48 

Warrant of lodge may be suspended . 52 

Warranted lodge, powers, duties and privi- 
leges of , .46 
Warranted lodge, who compose a • I 45 



INIJEX 



I ode of Procedure, 



See. 
A. 

Accused, consent of, necessary to issue of Commission 41 

" failing to appear, testimony maybe taken 65 

" or his counsel to be present during trial . 49 

Admission of charges sufficient for report . . 67 

Adoption of resolutions of Commission . . 55 
Adoption of resolution of Commission judgment' 

in case ...*.... 56 

Agreement to issue Commission, form of 40 

Answer to Complaint, varieties of form ... 22 

" special, form of 23 

11 to interrogatories, etc., certificate of examiner 39 

Appeal , answer to, form of • 77 

44 copies of, to be served 75 

" decision on, filed with Grand Secretary . 82 

4 ■ decision on, form of 83 

" form of 74 

" from decision of Grand Master, answer to, 

not required ... 88 

" from decision of Grand Master, form of .85, 87 
" from decision of Grand Master, service 

on respondent . . 86 

44 in form, or notice of, with form of notice . 71 

44 Masonic, defined ...... 69 

44 order for papers on, "with form ... 81 



204 INDEX TO CODE OF PEOCEDTJEE. 



Sec. 



Appeal order for production of papers, form of . 89, 90 
i4 reversal of judgment on. form of . . 84 

" time for bringing, under Constitu ion . . 70 
•' time for. commences irom notioe oi judgment 64 

11 time for notice of 91 

" what to contain . .... 73 

1 1 when to be regarded as admitted . . 76 

Applicaiion for restoration to Grand Lodge after appeal 105 

." " " form of . 102 

« " li " granted by 

majority vote . . 104 
Application for restoration to Grand Lodge, hearing on 103 
" •* Lodge, form of . 106 

" " " form and ef- 

fect of resolution grant- 
ing . . 108, 109 
Application for restortion to Lodge, minutes concerning 111 
" " " reference of . 110 
•' " " to lie over . 107 
Appointment of Trial Commissions by Lodge . 12 
Attendance of witnesses, form of summons . 26 



Charges, admission of, effect of . . . 67 

" against Lodge or individual in writing . 5 

Commission to take testimony . . . 30-42 

Commissioner, disqualification of : . 12, 68 

" dissenting from report, with form 54 

Commissioners, challenge to, proceedings on . 19, 20 
" consultation of, after trial . . 49 

" may issue a commission, form of . 32 

" meeting of, for trial ... 16 

" organization of • • 43, 44 

' ' report of, to Lodge ... 51 

" under Sec. 60, prescribe penalty ,. 61 

Complaint against Lodge, Master, &c. . . 60 
" answer to 21 



GRAND LODGE. 205 

Sec. 

Complaint my Mason in go d standing may prefer 6 

1 ' copy of, to be served n accused . . 14 

" for disobeying summons, form of . . 29 

rt forms of .-...• 8 
11 in Lodge, proceedings on ■ . 9-20 

" in Lodge when to be presented . , c 10 

" minutss should contain n ture of . . 11 

" notice annexed to, form of . , 15 

11 not personally served, notice by mail ; 17 

" reception and reference of ... 11 

Counsel must be a Mason 49 

Cross-interrogatories, form of ; . . . 36 

13 

Decision, form of, notice of 50 

" of Commissioners adopted or rejected by 

majority vote . 58 
" " may be reversed or 

modified by Lodge 57 
" " notice to accused, copy of 59 

" " under Sec. 60, a decree 61 
" of Grand -Master appeal from, answer 

not required . 88 
" " " appeal from, form of 85, 87 
" " " appeal from, service 

on respondent 86 

" on appeal, filed with Grand Secretary ; 82 

form of . . . 83 

" M reversing judgment . 84 

Defendant, absent, form of notice to ; 18 

Denial, specific, of grounds of appeal, form of . 78 

Disobeying summons subjects witness to punishment 28 

Disqualification of Commissioner . . • 12,68 

Dissent of Commissioner, how expressed . . 54 

Evidence defined . . : : . . . 45 

" principles of, in Masonic trials • , 46 



206 INDEX TO CODE OF PKOCEDURE. 

Sec. 
Examiner to take testimony, deposition of witness 38 

*Expulbion denned . . . . . 96, 97 

Forms of answers, appeals, complaints, notices, &c. , see 
approjxriite heads. 

& 

Grand Lodge or officer may consider appeals on 

oral or written argument 79 

" " restoration by 102-105 

Grand Master, appeal from .... 85-88 

Grand Secretary, decided appeals to be filed with 82 

44 " to notify Lodge or complainant of 

appeal taken 75 
I 

Ir dividual offences classified and defined . . 2 

Interrogatories, form « f . • . . , . 34 

4 ' settlement of .... 33 

Interrogatory, " lastly," must be inserted and answered 35 

a 

Junior Warden should prefer complaint ... 6 
" " the proper prosecutor ... 49 

Hi 

44 Lastly" in interrogatories and cross-interrogatories 35 
Lodge, appeal from decision of (see Appeal & Decision ) 
44 appointment of Commissioners by . . 12 
44 charges against, in writing * . ; 5 

44 charges against Master of ... 60 

« may reverse or modify decision of Commissioners 32 
44 minutes of, relating to complaint . . 11 
44 offences by, classified and defined . . 4 V 

44 report of Commissioners to ... 51 
44 restoration by .... 106-111 

* Declared void. See Decision 32, 1875, p. 110. 



GRASP LODGE. 207 

Sec. ' 
M 

Masonic trial to be conducted like criminal action 

in Court of Record 49 

; " denned .... 1 

Master, comprint against 60 

1 ' tries challenge to commission ... 20 

Member of another Lodge, complaint against . 60 

Meeting of Commissioners for trial, notice of . 16 

Minutes of Lodge to contain nature of complaint 11 

1 * proceedings of Commission, form of . 48 

N 

Notice annexed to complaint, form of - 15 

" of appeal, form of 71 
«■ complaint by mail, complaint not 

personally served - 17 

11 decision, form of - - - 50 

" intention to apply for commission, form of 31 

* ' judgment, accused absent from Lod<?e 64 

" " of Commissicnersin ec. 60 cases 63 

* * time and plac a of hearing appeals, form of 80 

" to absent defendant, form of - 18 

O 

Objections, Vhen to be taken 49 
Ofl'ences committed by an individual, classified 

and defined - 2 

' l " a Lodge, classified and defined 4 

Order for papers to perfect appeal, form of - 81 

' c production of papers on appeal *- 89,90 

Or anization of trial commission - - 43, 44 



Penalties inflicted on individual Masons - 3 

" " by commission, when - 61 

Presentation of complaint, time and place of - 10 



208 INDEX TO CODE OF PEOCEDUEE* 

Sec. 

Proceedings of commissioners, form of minutes 48 

" on complaint - - 9, 20 

" sent to Examiner to take testimony 32, 37 

Procedure in Masonic trials, rules of - 49 

Q 

Qualifications of commissioners 12 

" Examiner 32 

Reading proceedings of trial before Lodge - 52 

Reception and reference of complaint - 11, 12 

Record of court of law conclusive evidence - 47 

Report of commission, accused failing to appear, form of 66 

" " charges admitted - 67 

" " in Sec. 60, to whom made, form of 62 

" " to Lodge, form of - 53 

" " to Lodge, what to contain 51 

Resolutions of commission, adoption of - 55 

" " i " judgment in case 56 

Restoration applies to expulsion 95 

" by urand Louge, after appeal - 105 

" " " by majority vote - 104 

" " " Form of application for 102 

" " " Hearing on application 103 

'« " " Y/hen legal, and its 

effect - 99, 101 

Restoration by Lodge, Application to lie over - 107 

" " Application should be referred 110 

" " Form of 106 

" " How granted, form of 108, 109 

" " *In what cases, and effect of 100 

" il Secretary's minutes concerning 111 

Restoration explained and discussed - 92-94 

Reversal of judgment on appeal, effect of - 98 

Rules of evidence 46 

Roles of procedure of Masonic trials 49 



- #See decision 32, 1875, p. 110. 



GKAND LODGE. 209 



Secretary of Lodge to serve copy of complaint 14 

" " transmit papers on appeal 72 

Settlement of interrogatories, etc. - - 33 

fecial answer, form of 23 

" " overruled, general answer may go in 25 

Specific deni .1 of grounds of appeal, form of 78 

Specifications, severally admitted or denied - 22 

Statement and decision of objections - - 49 

Summons, effect of disobedience of 28 

'• to witnesses 26, 27 



Testimony by commission, how taken - - 30 

" " on behalf of complainant 42 

" must be read if ordered by Lodge - 52 

11 wben accused fails to answer 65 

Time allowed in trials and appeals for answers 

notices, etc. - 91 

Time for appeal runs from notice of judgment - 64 

Transmission of papers, appeal being taken - 72 

Trial defined 1 

" proceedings of, to be recorded 49 

u to be conducted like criminal action at law 49 

XJ 

Unaffiliated Mason, complaint against - 60 

Witness disqualified for Commissioner - 68 

" not a Mason, present only while testifying 49 

44 not a Mason, test of credibility of - 49 



INDEX 



TO 



•ECISONS, MESOLUTIONS, ETC. 



Page. 

Advancement, clear ballot necessary to 96 
Advancement of candidates at request of another 

lodge, effect of 96 

Advancement, staved by ballot, effect on fee 118 
Affiliation, application for may be withdrawn 

after reference 98 

" brother dimitted before 1873 may 

apply for 98 

" citizenship not necessary to . . 97 
'* effect of applicants rejection for . 97, 98 

<c loss of diniit does not affect right of 98 

" non-residence does not prevent . 97 

si not limited by. time or locality . 97 
w question in section 49 (Statutes) not 

necessary . .97 

" right of those (voluntarily) dropped 

from rolls . .... 98 

" Section 45 (Statutes) does not prevent 97 

Amendments to By Laws of lodge . . . 105 

Assessment, failure to pay punishable as an offense 101 

JB 

Ballot adverse effect of an advancement, . . 96 

u adverse, announcement of to candidate 101 



INDEX TO DECISIONS, ItESOLUTIONS , ETC. 211 

Page. 

Ballot after rejection of petition illegal . . 102 

" clear, necessary before advancement 96 

u declaration of regulated .... 102 

" demand for, duty in certain cases . . 102 

" demand for, when to be entertained 102 

" disclosure of, effect 10-76 . . 103 
u for initiation may be demanded, effect 

if adverse . . . . .103 
" illegal, effect of in certain cases . . 103 
" name of one demanding, not to be re- 
corded 103 

" on petition, must not be questioned 104 

M on petition, not allowed by proxy . 104 
" on petition, when commenced must be 

declared 104 

u opportunity to demand must be afforded 104 

Bonds of Lodge Officers . . . 105 

Burial Masonic defined 123 

By-Law of Lodge, amendment to . . 105 
ki of Lodge necessary to unaffiliate for 

non-payment of dues . . 105 
t 4 u relative to privileged mem- 
bership .... 106 



Candidates (see advancement affiliation, ballot, 

initiation) . . 

Charges against majority of Lodge by a member 106 
w; against officer of Lodge, do not sus- 
pend 107 

a dismissed in Lod^re not to be renewed 

before D.D.G^f. . . . 107 

«* effect of refusal of Lodge to receive 108 



212 GBAND LODGE. 

Page. 

Charges, unaffiliate liable to . . . . 108 

Citizenship not neccesary to affiliation (see affil- 
iation) ..... 

Code of Procedure, certain provisions void 110 
" " to be printed with con- 

I stitution • . 110 

Commission of Appeals, meetings of . . 108 

Commissioners at Masonic Trials, challenge of 108 

Committees of Investigation, duties of . . 110 

" " " reports of, what to 

contain . . Ill 

Conferring degrees, constitutional interval not to 

be disturbed by dispensation . . Ill 

Confession or admission of offence effect of how 

determined, . ... 109 

Conventions of Masters should receive consent 

of Grand Master. . , . 112 

Counsel, confidential privileges of, defined. Offi- 112 
u oers of Grand Lodge not to act as . 112 

I> 

Debt, or civil rights, action for not triable • 110 

Decision and Sentence of Lodge, effect of rever- 
sal . .110 

Degree, dispensation to confer, will not be granted 111 
" Master may refuse to confer . .124 

Dimit, duplicate, when to be issued . . 113 

u Issued under former constiution, effect of 98 

Distrits, Masonic organization and re-organiza- 
tion of ... . 113 

Donation of dues not to be reconsidered . 118 

Dropped from roll at his own request, nature of 

certificate . • . • • • 99 



INDEX TO DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS. ETC. 213 

HI Page. 

Election of officers of Lodges, irregularity, how 

cured . ... ... 115 

Election of officers of Lodges, summons neces- 
sary for . . . . . . . 115 

Exclusion from Lodge in power of master . 124 

Expulsion defined , . . 116 

" Effect of . 116 

Fee for advancement in Lodge . . 119 

" for initiation, and when due . . . 118 

" when advancement is stayed by ballot . 118 

Flag to be displayed at communicatious of Grand 

Lodge (R) 119 

O 

Grand Lodge dues, effect of overpaying . . 118 
H 

Hall and Asylum Fund, act of Incorporation of 

with amendments thereto 148 

Honorary Member, right to visit stopped by 

objection . . . . . 120 

Honorary Membership incidents of . . 119 

I 

Illegal ballot in regular lodge, effect on initiate 103 

Illegal opening of lodge nullifies proceedings . Ill 

Incorporation of Hall and Asylum Fund . 148 
" u Lodges, certificate of .162 

" u " Law enabling . 156 
Indefinite Suspension, effect of penalty inflicted 

before . • . • • 117 
Initiation (see Ballot) 



211 gkand ixddge. 

Page. 
Installation of Master . . . . . 115 
44 " secrets of chair , . 115 
" Officers by proxy . . 115 
44 u who may perform cere- 
mony of . . 115 
Investigation, report of Committee of, how made 111 



Jurisdiction of lodge over candidates, changed by 

removal . 121 

" <l " •* how released 120 

44 * 4 ' 4 u obtained by 

consent . 120 

Jurisdiction of Lodge over candidates obtained 

by rejection, ... . 120 

Jurisdiction of Lodge over candidates subject 

generally reviewed .... . 121 

Jurisdiction of Lodge over candidates, territorial 

extent of. .... 120 



Lodge jurisdiction, (see jurisdiction.) 

<4 ^ May not judicially review its own act 108 

m: 

Masonic burial defined. . . . 123 
<l Districts, organization and re-organiza- 
tion of. . , 113 
Lodge room, use of by other societies 126 
44 Offences defined. . . . 109 
Master of Lodge may be a non-resident. . 124 
44 u May be tried for embezzlement, 

on discovery. . 109 



INDEX TO DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, ETC. 215 

Page. 

Master's fiction can be questioned only by appeal. 125 

Minutes of a Lodge, effect of approval of . 123 

u " time fixed for approval. 123 

New trial of issues once determined not legal 109 

o 

Officers of Lodge, election of, (see election) 

" <4 Installation of, (see installation) 
u " Suspension of, (see suspension) 

IP 

Penalty, vote on greater proposed to be taken 

first, . . , .117 

Petition, postponement of ballot on, forbidden 

when commenced. . . 104 

l " (See alse Advancement. Affiliation and 
Ballot) 

Physical Qualifications of candidate, how deter- 
mined. ... . 123 

Privileged Membership, By-Laws of Lodge rela- 
tive to. . . . 106 

Proxy of Lodge in Grand Lodge by presence of 

Master, etc. .... . 124 

Proxy voting on petition, not allowed. . 106 

Punishment, effect on rights and obligations 104 

Q 

Qualifications, physical, (see physical qualifica- 
tions 
" Religious, (see religious views) 

Questioning the action of Master, except by ap- 
peal, improper. .... 125 



216 GRAND LODGE. 

3E! Pago. 

Reconsideration, vote of, in Lodge. . .125 
Refusal of Lodge to receive charges, effect of 108 
Religions views of candidates not subject to in- 
quiry. . . . . . 110 

Reprimand, date for execution of sentence regu- 
lated .116 

Resolutions donating dues not to be reconsidered 118 

Restoration by Grand Lodge or Lodge, effect of 117 

" " •* fc * conclusive, 117 
* 4 " Lodge, void provisions of Code. 

concerning. . . 110 
" Tbo act of Grand Lodge or Lodge 

where expulsion occurred. . 117 

IS 

Sentence of reprimand should postpone execution 116 
Sentences pronounced by lodge may not be 

changed ' . , . , .108 

Stricken from Roll, under former constitution, 

status of 99 

Suspension — indefinite, penalty not terminated 117 

of elective officer of lodge, pending trial 107 

M " officer for intoxication by master 

justified . 125 

T 

Trial Commissioners challenge of . '. • 108 

" New, forbidden in certain cases 106 

XJ 

Unaffiliation for non-payment of dues does not 

stop char- 
ges 108 



INDEX TO DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, ETC. 217 

Page. 

tJnaffiliation for non-payment of dues accruing 

during, 99 

u u m ct restoration 

from 99 

" u u rights dur- 

ing 69 

" « Section 46 

(Statutes,) 
construed 99 

ft u u whole a- 

mount of 
clues must 

rt u Li be tendered 

to prevent 99 

Visit, right of Honorary Member to qualified 120 

Vote, of Master of lodge on anv question 125 



INDEX 



|ommission of Appeals ||eports. 



Acts charged not warranting severity of 

penalty . . . Case VII. 1874 

Appellate power of Grand Lodge 

discussed . . , Case II. 1876. 

Applying abusive or vile epithets to 

deceased brother an offense Case IV. 1875 

Applying profane or scurrilous epithets t Case III. 1875. 
to Master an offence . / Case IV. 1875. 

Attempting to extort money by un- 
warrantable suit at law an offense Case VIII. 1874. 

Brother Mason, unaffiliated, may act ag 

connsel . . . Case III. 187 



Charges not sustained by record, appeal 

sustained . . Case V. 1876. 

Commission appointed under Sec. 58, ( Case II. ] 874. 

Const., must inflict penalty ( Case VI. 1875. 

Commissioners finding accused guilty 

must not dismiss complaint Case VI. 1875. 



INDEX TO COMMISSION OP APPEALS REPORT. 219 

u 

Deception practiced to obtain money ) Case Til. 1875. 

an offense . . ) Case IV. 1876. 

Declaring a brother is not u to be believed 

under oath'' warrants suspension Case VI. 1874. 
Desertion of wife, supported by decree of 

divorce, warrants expulsion Case V. 1874. 

Disclosing Lodge affairs in public places 

an offense . . Case II. 1875. 

Errors in trial prejudicial to rights of accused 

warrants reversal of sentence Case I. 1875. 

Expulsion from Lodge, an irregular sentence Case 1. 1874, 

IF 

Facts found by Trial Commission sustained, 

unless error be manifest . Case V. 1875. 

Failure to " file case and exceptions" will 

cause dismissal of appeal . Case I. 1876. 

Falsely charging Master Mason's widow 

with unchastity warrants expulsion Case IV. 1874. 

O 

Grand Master's right to lessen penalties 

discussed . . , Case I. 1875. 



Indecent proposals to Master Mason's sister 

warrants expulsion . Case III. 1874. 

Indefinite and uncertain charges not to 

subject brother to trial . Case YU. 1874. 



220 GB1ND LODGE. 

Lodge must sentence accused when 

convicted . . Case II. 1876. 

M 

Majority of members present required to 

convict or sentence . Case I. 1876. 

Member^ rights in a Lodge co-equal and to 

be protected . . Case VII. 1876. 

o 

Offenses must be definitely and with 

certainty charged , Case VII. 1874. 



Penalty, excessive . . Case VII. 1874. 

Persuading members from entering to 

prevent opening of Lodge an offense Case IV. 1874. 
Perjury proved against accused warrants 

expulsion . . . Case II. 1875. 

Plea of guilty will not necessarily 

lessen punishment . Case IV. 1874. 

Proceedings of Lodge declared void for 

failure to furnish papers Case VII. 1875. 

H 

Refusal to obey Master in Lodge an 

offense . . . Case IV. 1875. 



Sentence must follow conviction, Lodge 

ordered to proceed to judgment Case II. 1876. 



INDEX TO COMMISSION OF APPEALS REPORT. 221 

Statements of Trial Commission on record 

as evidence, irregular . Case I. 1875. 

T 

Trial Commissioner's duties defined ^ a& % 7 T io»tT" 

I Case VI. Ib74. 

U 

Unaffiliated Mason may act as counsel Case III. 1875. 

Vote to convict or sentence, by majority 

of members present . Case I. 1874. 



■ 

I ■ I 

■ ,w 

■ ■ 



H ■ 



■H 



IV 







